The Washington Commanders are looking forward positively after a sensational upset win over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. But for some on the roster, they are nervously looking over their shoulders for one reason or another.
Whether it's their futures right now or beyond 2026, a lot of unknowns remain. It's an all-hands-on-deck situation for the Commanders, who are dealing with several key injuries once again. But those in the front office are always looking at the bigger picture.
General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have not been afraid to make changes so far. Too much is at stake to stand pat if things are going as they expect, and this newly acquired momentum after beating the Seahawks only raises the pressure.
The Commanders have talent. And when everyone is firing on all cylinders, they can push any team around the league to its limit.
Last weekend's stunning triumph over the Seahawks proved that, but it's only one win. If the Commanders want to be taken seriously, everyone needs to step up their consistency to become more competitive.
With that in mind, here are seven Commanders who are facing precarious situations after just three games of the 2026 campaign.
Washington Commanders players who are facing increasingly precarious situations after three games
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders OLB
Dorance Armstrong Jr. was in the midst of a breakout campaign before a torn ACL last season. This represented a brutal setback for the edge rusher, but he was determined to come back stronger and make a lasting contribution in a contract year.
Armstrong is back, which is a positive. But some of the explosiveness that proved so beneficial last time around seems to be missing.
With time in short supply before the Commanders decide whether to keep him around, he needs massive improvement.
The Commanders are bringing Armstrong along gradually, and that is the right call. He missed a lot of football, so it'll take some time to find his football legs again. Fortunately for Washington, Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson are picking up the slack, and the eye-catching addition of Charles Snowden could shake up the dynamic further.
It's something to monitor, at the very least.
Armstrong is talented enough to pick things up when his number is called. He is flashing more against the run than rushing the passer right now, but that should change. However, it needs to shift quickly, because Adam Peters will be watching closely before it comes time to decide the player's future.
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