Antonio Williams - Commanders WR
Terry McLaurin's season-ending torn patellar tendon is a bitter blow to the wide receiver room. He was the talisman, the inspirational leader everyone looked to for production and motivation. Now, he's on the shelf, and speculation is already rising around his long-term future with the Washington Commanders.
Though disappointing, this has to be the next man up. The Commanders are in no position to wallow in self-pity. They have to find solutions, and head coach Dan Quinn highlighted third-round rookie Antonio Williams as the player who could benefit most from McLaurin's absence.
Williams has performed well so far. He's catching 69.2 percent of his targets and looks like an assured presence. The Clemson product is stronger than he looks in contested catch situations, and his inside-out versatility will be needed without McLaurin to lean on.
This is a big opportunity for Williams. If he seizes it, the first-year pro will confirm his status as a long-term piece of Washington's puzzle.
Charles Omenihu - Commanders DL
Dan Quinn confirmed that Charles Omenihu is returning to practice this week after a brief injury-related absence. That is a big boost, and his versatility can be an asset if there are no further complications.
Omenihu has flashed as a pass rusher on Daronte Jones' 3-4 defensive front, registering six pressures through four games and 45 percent of the team's defensive snaps. He's struggled a bit against the run, but his high motor and anticipation have caught the eye on occasion.
With Javon Kinlaw dealing with an injury and Johnny Newton still out of action, Omenihu should be in line for more work if he comes through his ramp-up process unscathed. It might not be an every-down role, but he should be able to contribute in the right situations.
Omenihu thrives under pressure. It's what made him so valuable to the Kansas City Chiefs during their playoff runs, and the Commanders need more of the same throughout their post-bye slate.
Tyler Owens - Commanders DB
Why the Commanders refuse to give Tyler Owens a role in the defensive rotation remains a mystery. But with the athletically gifted defensive back out of contract next spring as a restricted free agent, Washington has to see what it has.
Maybe Owens' exceptional production as a special-teams gunner is playing a role. The Commanders want to keep him fresh to make plays in this role, and defensive involvement would limit his impact. But Daronte Jones' unit needs an injection of energy in the worst possible way.
Nick Cross is a good player. Jeremy Reaves is all effort but lacks quality. Percy Butler is a special-teamer, and Quan Martin is seemingly a lost cause. Owens is the wild card at safety, but opportunities have been nonexistent.
Owens has the size, athleticism, and versatility to be deployed anywhere, and Jones experimented a lot with the player over the summer. He's been less willing when the real action arrived, but he has the tools to provide a spark that Washington desperately needs.
Add us as a preferred source on Google