With the Washington Commanders playing for nothing much other than pride over their final seven games of the campaign, the coaching staff needs to try new things. Adam Peters also needs to assess what he has on the roster before a crucial offseason, and throwing his fledgling stars into the fire is the best way to do so.
The Commanders are dealing with serious injury problems, no more so than in the wide receiver room. Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown are slowly making their way back from long-term ailments. Luke McCaffrey is likely done for the season with a broken collarbone. If that wasn't bad enough, Treylon Burks' early momentum was halted by a finger issue that required minor surgery.
Contingency plans have been made. The Commanders announced that veteran Robbie Chosen and Jacoby Jones were signed from the practice squad to the active roster. For the latter, this is his first taste of competitive NFL action after hanging around during the summer.
Jacoby Jones finally gets his shot to make a name for himself with Commanders
Jones went undrafted out of UCF, and the Commanders moved swiftly to scoop him up. He flashed promise throughout preparations for the new campaign, especially in the red zone. Most thought that fellow undrafted standout Ja'Corey Brooks was further ahead, but Washington's decision-makers held a different opinion.
At 6-foot-3 and 228 pounds, Jones has the size and physical scope to be a potential problem for opposing defenses if given the chance. The Commanders might prefer to go with experience, especially in their current slump. But it wouldn't hurt to add some extra spark, urgency, and dynamism that the Miami Dolphins won't see coming in Week 11.
Time is of the essence for Jones. McLaurin and Brown are expected back soon. The Commanders will need to make room for the latter on the squad. The first-year wideout needs to make sure he's not sacrificed, and he can do that by showing out in practice and making an impression when his number is called.
Everything after that is out of his hands.
This is Jones' shot. He's stayed patient, enhancing his skills on the practice squad, gearing up for this moment. Whether he'll be active in Madrid remains to be seen, but with only Deebo Samuel Sr., Chris Moore, fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane, and Chosen available, the Commanders have nothing to lose by putting him in a high-pressure situation and seeing how he fares.
And who knows, perhaps Jones can provide the Commanders with an injection of energy when they need it most. Stranger things have happened.