Shy Tuttle - Commanders DL
The Washington Commanders took a major hit when defensive lineman Daron Payne went to season-ending injured reserve with a fractured foot. He was a trade candidate, of course, but losing him in the trenches is a massive blow.
To make matters worse, Javon Kinlaw's knee complication has also placed him on injured reserve. The problem hasn't progressed as encouragingly as Washington had hoped, and now they have decided to put him on the shelf to give it the time needed to heal.
That leaves the Commanders short of viable options. It also makes Shy Tuttle one of the team's most important players who never gets talked about.
Tuttle arrived in Washington late last season after an unsuccessful spell with the Tennessee Titans. Before that, the Carolina Panthers released him, so it's not hard to see why optimism around his outlook was dwindling.
The veteran did enough to stick around this offseason. Tuttle also made the 53-man roster, and after a tremendous start to the campaign, his snaps have soared.
With Payne and Kinlaw unavailable, expect this trend to continue. Tuttle is strong, imposing, and experienced. And if he keeps playing well, another new deal may not be too far behind.
Rachaad White - Commanders RB
The Commanders' running back dynamic is shaky at best. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is still on the shelf, sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen was waived, and veteran Jeremy McNichols' serious foot injury likely rules him out for the year.
Washington brought back Robert Henry Jr., who flashed promise during the preseason before being signed off the Commanders' practice squad by the Seattle Seahawks. Austin Ekeler is still serviceable, but just how much of a workload he can handle remains to be seen.
That makes Rachaad White the lead option until Croskey-Merritt is ready to resume football activities.
White was an intriguing free-agent pickup by the Commanders this offseason. He bet on himself by signing a one-year, $2 million deal, but he's struggling to identify gaps quickly enough to make a considerable impression.
A strong finish to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles should (hopefully) signal what's to come from White. The Commanders' decision to claim Henry off waivers suggests Adam Peters isn't going to make a bombshell trade for someone like Jonathan Taylor, but there is no doubt White has to do more.
He's got the athletic tools to be a dual-threat weapon for the Commanders. Simply put, they need him to step up.
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