The Washington Commanders play their final preseason game this Friday. And if reports from their joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens are any indication, they'll just want to get it over and done with so they can rest up for the regular season.
Injuries are already a problem, and head coach Dan Quinn's team looked badly outmatched in Baltimore.
A week after Quinn thought the Commanders were "in disarray" against the Detroit Lions, reports indicate the Ravens had their way against Washington during Wednesday's joint practice session. The offensive line has received the bulk of the criticism, but the defensive front is looking just as concerning.
Commanders look lost on both sides of the trenches as Dan Quinn searches for answers
Edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson are both currently unavailable. And Washington had better hope they're back soon.
It shouldn't be a surprise that the Ravens are just a better team than the Commanders.
They have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. They have superstars everywhere. Lamar Jackson. Derrick Henry. Kyle Hamilton. Marlon Humphrey. Nnamdi Madubuike. This offseason, they added Trey Hendrickson, whom the Commanders were reportedly looking to pair with Oweh.
Washington doesn't have those types of proven All-Pro talents, except for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who is likely out for the season. The losses of Oweh and Chaisson are proving costly as well, as the Commanders couldn't generate any pressure against Jackson and the Ravens.
Without their two starting outside linebackers, the Commanders are forced to rely on Dorance Armstrong Jr., rookie fifth-round selection Joshua Josephs, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, D.J. Johnson, and T.J. Maguranyanga. That's some less-than-ideal depth, though Washington can also move around players like Charles Omenihu if need be.
Commanders must act now or pay the price later
The Commanders signed Boogie Basham for help on the edge, but that's hardly a needle-mover. Just another camp body brought in solely for preseason depth purposes who'll likely be cut by the end of the week.
Washington's defensive front seven is expected to be much improved this year. However, as with all positions, that's dependent on health.
Right now, the Commanders don't have it. They must look outside for reinforcements, and they must do it sooner rather than later.
In just over two weeks, the Commanders will be at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, playing the Eagles in a game that will count in the record books. And things are unraveling already.
There's no guarantee that the players who aren't available now will be available then. And if they are, one must question how well-conditioned they'll be.
There's still enough time to sign some veteran free agents at center and edge rusher who'll be able to be in game shape for Week 1, just in case their services are called upon. But it needs to happen now. Not later. Not after Friday.
Now.
Anything else is organizational incompetence.
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