The Washington Commanders may have finalized their initial 53-man roster, but there is still a significant amount for general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn to get through.
First, they had to scour the waiver wire for potential additions who didn't quite make the grade elsewhere. After that, it's selecting which players to place onto their practice squad for the 2026 campaign.
Most practice squad players will come via those who were either released or waived during Washington's final cut process. The Commanders had more strength in depth than previous years, which meant good players were made surplus to requirements to get down to the required 53 before the deadline.
- Commanders 2026 practice squad as Adam Peters lays his cards on the table
- Commanders 2026 practice squad analysis
This also makes the practice-squad candidates even harder to figure out. There should be a blend of youth and experience, and given how injuries tend to crop up during the regular season, those chosen must be ready for call-ups at a moment's notice.
Nothing else will do.
Movement should happen pretty quickly once the Commanders find out who has or hasn't cleared waivers around the league. Keep up to date with everything in our live tracker here.
Last updated: Monday, August 31 (4 pm ET)
Commanders 2026 practice squad as Adam Peters lays his cards on the table
Player | Position |
|---|---|
Byron Cowart | Defensive Line |
Julian Good-Jones | Offensive Line |
Craig Reynolds | Running Back |
D.J. Johnson | Outside Linebacker |
Jeffrey M'ba | Defensive Line |
Sam Hartman | Quarterback |
Jaden Bradley | Wide Receiver |
Robert Henry Jr. | Running Back |
Ale Kaho | Linebacker |
Esa Pole | Offensive Tackle |
Fred Davis II | Cornerback |
Darius Rush | Cornerback |
Trent Scott | Offensive Line |
Commanders 2026 practice squad analysis
Byron Cowart, DL
Despite being relatively new to the franchise, defensive lineman Byron Cowart did enough to make their practice squad. And with the glaring lack of legitimate depth in the trenches of Daronte Jones' 3-4 system, he's got the chance to get a few early call-ups to the game-day roster if this encouraging progress continues.
Julian Good-Jones, OL
After getting the starting reps at center when Nick Allegretti got hurt on the first day of training camp, Julain Good-Jones' subpar efforts in the preseason saw him cut. However, anyone who was expecting this to be the end of his time in Washington is out of luck.
Good-Jones was a disaster waiting to happen over Washington's warm-up slate. Fans will be hoping he doesn't see the field at any stage.
Craig Reynolds, RB
The Commanders are also reportedly giving Craig Reynolds a place on their practice squad. He was another late arrival to the club this summer, bringing experience and special-teams value. And with Jeremy McNichols currently on injured reserve, there could be a window for some early-season involvement.
D.J. Johnson, OLB
Though D.J. Johnson has fluffed his lines almost constantly since becoming a third-round pick, the Commanders still believe there is more untapped potential remaining. Just how good this judgment is remains to be seen, but the edge rusher should be thrilled to get a place on the practice squad after an underwhelming summer overall.
Jeffrey M'ba, DL
The practice squad was probably the best that undrafted rookie defensive lineman Jeffrey M'ba could hope for upon joining the franchise. His strength and explosiveness flashed throughout training camp, and getting the chance to stay part of the team's plans should enable him to grow even more as the year progresses.
Sam Hartman, QB
Sam Hartman did not play well in the preseason. Seventh-round rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis cleared him for the QB3 job, but the Notre Dame product's relationships in the building, particularly with Jayden Daniels, were enough to see him get a practice squad place for the third straight year.
Jaden Bradley, WR
There was a lot to like about the way wide receiver Jaden Bradley performed throughout the offseason. He made opportunities count, was a hard worker, and willing learning. The undrafted rookie drew praise from Terry McLaurin, so it's not hard to see why the Commanders wanted to bring him back onto their practice squad.
Robert Henry Jr., RB
The Commanders needed to bring Robert Henry Jr. onto their practice squad if he cleared waivers. There is too much potential attached to the running back for anything else, and his strong preseason all but cemented this intent despite narrowly missing out on a roster spot.
One could make a strong case that Henry outperformed sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen this summer. And he should continue to enhance his skills in pursuit of getting called up to the active roster at some stage.
Ale Kaho, LB
There was no room for linebacker Ale Kaho on the 53-man roster, an achievement he deservedly earned last year. His preseason performances were inconsistent at best, which quickly made his situation precarious. The second-year player has taken a step back, but the Commanders are not giving up on his long-term upside just yet.
Esa Pole, OT
According to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star, the Commanders are also signing offensive tackle Esa Pole to their practice squad. This is the first reported addition who wasn't part of the roster this summer. And even though the edge protector was cut loose by the Kansas City Chiefs, he's got the size, length, and athleticism to be an intriguing development project.
Fred Davis II, CB
Even though Fred Davis II has close family ties to the organization, he needed to earn his spot just like everyone else. The undrafted rookie cornerback displayed some encouraging signs earlier in the offseason, but it became apparent from a long way out that a place on the team wasn't going to happen. Even so, a practice squad spot represents the best-case scenario.
Darius Rush, CB
It looked as if Darius Rush might have a good chance to make the 53-man roster, but a poor showing in Washington's final preseason contest ended this optimism. His size and length offer something different, and with only three healthy corners on the roster as things stand, he might be on the active roster early in the season.
Trent Scott, OL
Trent Scott's place on the 53-man roster grew shakier as the summer went on. The flaws are becoming increasingly obvious at this late stage of his playing career, and a dismal outing in Baltimore was all Washington needed to see. But by placing him on the practice squad, the Commanders now have another experienced, versatile lineman if injury strikes.
Add us as a preferred source on Google