The Washington Commanders are reeling right now. Not only are they coming off a gut-check defeat against the Green Bay Packers with the national NFL audience watching, but head coach Dan Quinn is also trying to navigate some concerning injury problems.
Quinn knows that every team deals with injuries throughout the season. The Commanders have more than most. This stemmed from a short week with almost no preparation time early into the campaign.
There are much bigger expectations on their shoulders in 2025. Depth is already being tested, so it's a next man up situation. Injuries are disappointing, but they represent opportunities for others further down the depth chart.
Washington has the option to sign veteran free agents if things don't go well. But for now, those in power are giving others the chance to firmly establish themselves and prove their worth in more established roles heading into a crucial Week 3 home clash with the Las Vegas Raiders.
It's a risky proposition. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who must become difference makers in the team's growing injury storm.
Commanders players who must become difference makers in the growing injury storm
Jacob Martin - Commanders DE
It didn't look good for Deatrich Wise Jr. when he was carted off against the Green Bay Packers. The veteran defensive end looked despondent, and the concern among his teammates couldn't have been more obvious.
They were right to be worried. Wise sustained a quad injury that requires surgery. The Commanders placed him on season-ending injured reserve, and considering the former Arkansas standout only signed a one-year deal with the franchise, he's probably played his last game in Washington.
The Commanders opted not to sign another defensive end. Jadeveon Clowney went to the Dallas Cowboys, which indicates a level of confidence in the options available. That's not an opinion shared by fans, who were concerned about the team's lack of edge depth even before this unfortunate development.
Jacob Martin will be next up, or at least he should be. He's flashed promise over the opening two games. His 70.9 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus ranks 29th out of 139 qualifying edge defenders. Things have been less impressive against the run, but he's done more than enough for the starting berth in Wise's absence.
Washington should also get 2024 seventh-round pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste more involved. There could be some tweaks to the run defense that involve Eddie Goldman moving to the interior and Javon Kinlaw going to defensive end. But Martin has a chance to stake a strong claim and prove he is much more than a rotational journeyman.