The Washington Commanders could have done without two key injuries in the trenches considering the stakes attached to their game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Dan Quinn must pivot accordingly for another monumental playoff upset on the road.
Last weekend's phenomenal success at the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions wasn't all good news. The Commanders will be without stud right guard Sam Cosmi for the NFC Championship game and way beyond that after he suffered a torn ACL. It'll be interesting to see what contingency plans are put in place, but Quinn highlighted a desire to put his five best offensive linemen on the field versus Philadelphia's exceptional defensive front.
If that wasn't enough, the Commanders will also be without Daron Payne for the final four showdown. The veteran defensive tackle suffered a dislocated finger against the Lions. He was also dealing with a knee issue and didn't practice all week to further raise concerns.
After Payne was initially listed as questionable, the Commanders ruled out the former first-round pick out of Alabama on Saturday, elevating run-stopper Carl Davis from the practice squad. Washington will rely more heavily on Jonathan Allen and rookie second-rounder Johnny Newton in their quest to contain quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back sensation Saquon Barkley.
It was a relatively clean bill of health aside from that, which is pleasing. Seventh-round pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste and third-string quarterback Jeff Driskel were the only two players with questionable tags heading into the contest. But as is the case every week during this fairytale run, not everyone was going to suit up.
Nobody wanted to miss this game. The Commanders haven't gotten this far in the postseason for more than three decades. Washington's future is incredibly bright, but some might not ever get the chance to experience anything like this again.
Quinn had some difficult decisions to make. It's all part of being an NFL head coach, but he's done almost everything right so far. Fans were confident the former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator would do the same again.
With this in mind, let's take a look at the inactive players for both teams at Lincoln Financial Field.
Full list of inactive Commanders players for NFC Championship game
- WR K.J. Osborn
- QB Jeff Driskel (Emergency QB)
- CB Michael Davis
- RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- LB Dominique Hampton
- OL Sam Cosmi
- DT Daron Payne
Per the Commanders website.
Full list of inactive Eagles players for NFC Championship game
- QB Tanner McKee
- CB Eli Ricks
- DB Lewis Cine
- OL Nick Gates
- OL Darian Kinnard
- OL Trevor Keegan
- WR Ainias Smith