The Washington Commanders had some injury worries to navigate in the days leading up to their crunch Wild Card playoff game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thankfully, everything looks much more promising now.
Head coach Dan Quinn and his staff are welcoming back some influential figures for the contest. These are headed by stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who's set to resume his fierce rivalry with wide receiver Mike Evans after recovering from his hamstring issue.
Lattimore ramped things up at practice and doesn't carry an injury designation into the clash. The same goes for experienced veteran Tyler Biadasz, who'll assume his place as the starting center and will look to keep the formidable presence of Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea in check.
There wasn't much concern about rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels despite the need to take him out in the first half of Week 18. After a full week of practice, he also got the green light to spearhead Washington's potential appearance in the divisional round with success at Raymond James Stadium.
Just one player was officially ruled out. Undrafted free agent Colson Yankoff returned to practice after a spell on injured reserve. Unfortunately for the first-year tight end, this one came too soon.
Veteran wide receiver and kick returner Jamison Crowder was listed as questionable with a hamstring issue. But aside from that, everyone got a clean bill of health.
The Buccaneers are also getting some key men back into the mix. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Cade Otton, Antoine Winfield Jr., Mike Edwards, Jamel Dean, and Logan Hall are all expected to play despite being questionable. This strengthens Tampa Bay enormously and the Commanders must be ready.
This is a nice problem for Quinn to have. Not many have the luxury of almost a full-strength squad after a grueling 17-game slate. Couple this with bringing up wide receiver Chris Moore and cornerback Kevon Seymour from the practice squad, all eyes were on the inactive players list to see who would miss out.
Let's get into the inactive players for both teams heading into the clash.
Full list of inactive Commanders players for Wild Card game
- WR K.J. Osborn
- QB Jeff Driskel (Emergency QB)
- S Darrick Forrest
- CB Michael Davis
- RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- LB Dominique Hampton
- OL Chris Paul
Via the Commanders website.
Full list of active Buccaneers players for Wild Card game
- DL C.J. Brewer
- TE Devin Culp
- WR Kameron Johnson
- WR Tanner Knue
- S Ryan Neal
- G Royce Newman
- OLB Jose Ramirez
Via the Buccaneers website.