The Washington Commanders had a disastrous afternoon last Sunday, not only losing to the Dallas Cowboys but also losing quarterback Jayden Daniels and several other key players to injuries.
Now, as they head home to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, one healthy contributor might also struggle to see the field.
That would all but confirm a disappointing fall from grace for Mike Sainristil.
Mike Sainristil is playing his way into a reduced Commanders role
The second-round cornerback was a major part of Washington's success in 2024, coming on particularly strong late in the year and during the playoffs. He earned AP Defensive Rookie of the Year votes and had two interceptions in the Commanders' memorable playoff win over the Detroit Lions.
Sainristil took a step back last fall but still had a knack for finding the ball, recording four picks. His poor fit under previous defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. was blamed for his regression, and he was expected to be back to form in Daronte Jones' scheme.
He has not.
And patience is wearing extremely thin.
The Commanders lack cornerback depth, which makes Sainristil's play especially concerning. Beyond the Michigan product and Amik Robertson, their healthy options are currently Rasul Douglas, Fabian Moreau, and Isaac Yiadom.
But Washington might have no choice but to play them more. Not because they're ideal options, but because they're "Not Mike Sainristil."
Mike Sainristil's fall from grace has been alarming, to say the least
After Sainristil made a series of costly errors in an otherwise solid Week 1 team defensive performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Dan Quinn expressed confidence in the third-year pro to bounce back. He did anything but in Dallas, and it's time to have a serious conversation about his future.
Washington's 2025 season spiraled off the rails largely because of stagnation or regression from general manager Adam Peters' young draft picks. The Commanders had the league's oldest roster, but they were supposed to see progress from what initially looked like a strong 2024 class.
And that was supposed to mean Sainristil.
He and Trey Amos were supposed to be a long-term duo in a post-Marshon Lattimore world. Now the 2025 second-rounder can't get on the field, and Sainristil is borderline unplayable.
It's an issue, and it wouldn't be shocking to see his snap count decrease against the Seahawks.
The Commanders traded up for the pick they used to select Sainristil and passed on Cooper DeJean. They're investing serious capital into his development, which is beginning to look like a lost cause.
Throughout the Commanders' freefall in the past 11 months, Sainristil has been one of the team's most disappointing developments. He's gone from a core nucleus cornerstone to a player who might need to make himself a warm, comfortable seat on the bench.
If Sainristil starts losing his playing time to the likes of Moreau and Yiadom, it's as good as over.
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