Booked spot:
Maurice Hurst II - Commanders DL
The Washington Commanders were dealt a blow when third-year defensive lineman Johnny Newton suffered a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery. Dan Quinn was expecting a massive leap from the No. 36 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he will now miss a considerable part, if not all, of the campaign.
Though disappointing, it's next man up.
The Commanders have no time to wallow in self-pity; there is too much at stake this season for that. And even though he's starting from the bottom, recent arrival Maurice Hurst II couldn't have left a better first impression.
Hurst flashed tremendous promise versus the Detroit Lions, especially when it came to rushing from the interior. This is a role Newton was expected to have on Daronte Jones' 3-4 front, and even though it could still go either way, the 2018 fifth-round pick out of Michigan has given himself a fighting chance of making the squad in some capacity.
Serious trouble:
Foster Sarell - Commanders OT
As previously mentioned, the Commanders' depth along the offensive line continues to raise concern. And it's not just the interior, either.
With five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil missing with a torn triceps, Washington's plans (and standards) took a seismic shift. Brandon Coleman is on the blindside, with Chris Paul at left guard. But in terms of dependability behind them on the depth chart, it's in short supply.
Foster Sarell was probably hoping Tunsil's injury would improve his chances of making the team. He returned for a second summer with the club after failing to secure a roster spot last year. Nothing has been confirmed for sure, but it appears as if the same fate could befall him once again.
Sarell looks a step too slow. He is inconsistent from a technical standpoint, and his ability to recover doesn't exactly scream consistency either. The Commanders have too many worries elsewhere on the protection to take him onto the 53-man roster, though a spot on the practice squad seems plausible.
Booked spot:
Tyler Owens - Commanders DB
Tyler Owens was something of an enigma over his first two seasons with the Commanders. The defensive back brings elite-level athleticism and explosiveness to the table. He's got the size and physicality to be more impactful, but previous defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. had no idea how to utilize him correctly.
Daronte Jones is changing that.
It became clear at training camp that Jones sees something in Owens, but it's not just as a safety. The Texas Tech product is being deployed all over the field, and it's giving him a much-needed license to be instinctive.
The early returns are encouraging. Owens is growing in stature and is responding positively to Jones' demands. Putting it all together has always been a problem, even since his college days. But Washington's new defensive scheme has finally lit a fire under him.
If the same trend continues into the regular season, Owens could be a surprise that opposing offenses don't see coming.
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