The Washington Commanders are just one win away from confirming their postseason status in Year 1 of head coach Dan Quinn's tenure. However, they are dealing with some injury complications heading into their pivotal Week 17 home clash against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football.
This is nothing unusual at such a late stage of the campaign. Bodies are aching and the toll of a 17-game slate is being sorely felt around the league. What's important for Quinn is having a plan for every eventuality and rolling with the punches in the pursuit of achieving a monumental playoff berth.
There will be no Marshon Lattimore on the primetime stage. The stud cornerback suffered another hamstring complication following a physical battle with Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. He didn't participate in practice throughout the week, which made his status depressingly inevitable.
Lattimore isn't the only one on the sidelines. Wide receiver Dyami Brown, who's made some encouraging progress in recent weeks, had his newfound momentum halted by a hamstring issue. Veteran right tackle Andrew Wylie is also out, meaning it's another chance for Cornelius Lucas to state his case for another short-term deal this offseason.
Jordan Magee and Tyler Owens — two rookie development projects making a huge impression on special teams — aren't able to suit up in Week 17. That's a long list of influential figures missing, but it wasn't all bad news where the Commanders were concerned.
The Commanders activated defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to the 53-man roster after a lengthy spell on the shelf with a torn pectoral. Just how much the former first-round pick can contribute after so long away from competitive action remains to be seen, but his presence and supreme leadership should give everyone a huge lift on the field and in the locker room regardless.
It doesn't matter who's injured, in all honesty. Those fit and ready to go into battle must execute their assignments effectively, cope with the added pressure, and come through in crucial moments with the entire NFL audience watching on.
Let's see who else is missing in Week 17...
Falcons vs. Commanders game details
- Date: Sunday, December 29
- Time: 8.20 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- TV channel: NBC
Full list of inactive Commanders players for Week 17
- WR Dyami Brown
- QB Jeff Driskel (Emergency QB)
- CB Marshon Lattimore
- S Tyler Owens
- LB Dominique Hampton
- LB Jordan Magee
- OT Andrew Wylie
Via the Commanders website.
Full list of inactive Falcons players for Week 17
- DL Brandon Dorlus
- WR Casey Washington
- CB Kevin King
- OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
- OL Elijah Wilkinson
- RB Carlos Washington Jr.
- OT Brandon Parker
Via Daniel Flick from Sports Illustrated.