The Washington Commanders are dealing with some significant injury issues right now. One of those is defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., who has been ruled out for the entire campaign with a quad issue that requires surgery.
This puts the Commanders in a hole. Their edge options were already thin on the ground before this discouraging development. Now, general manager Adam Peters needs to find alternatives.
And one of the biggest names remaining on the market is no longer a possibility.
It didn't take long for Jadeveon Clowney's name to come up in speculation. He's got a lot of similar traits to Wise, being a stout run defender with more explosiveness to get after opposing quarterbacks. While the former South Carolina standout never reached the generational heights anticipated coming out of college, he's still put together a productive career at various stops.
Jadeveon Clowney no longer an option for Commanders after Cowboys strike quickly
Peters opted not to make a move for Clowney. Whether it was the scheme fit or the money involved is anyone's guess, but the Commanders will now have to face the No. 1 pick twice this season after he reportedly signed for the Dallas Cowboys.
Jerry Jones revealed after the Cowboys' last-gasp overtime triumph over the New York Giants that Clowney would be coming into the fold. He visited the club without anything being agreed upon last week. The two sides kept in touch, and it seems as if something that works for both parties has now been finalized.
Whether the Commanders' need for a new defensive end played any role in Jones' thought process before getting something worked out with Clowney is debatable. He's renowned for being emotional and petty in his decision-making process. One only has to look at his explicable decision to trade All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to see that. But for Peters, he needs to act swiftly to fill this big void.
The Commanders might be content to move forward with Jacob Martin and 2024 seventh-round pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste, who shared responsibilities after Wise went out of the game at Lambeau Field. Even if that's the team's chosen path, there is nothing behind them on the depth chart now. That must change as a matter of urgency.
Those options no longer include Clowney, who'll look to help a Dallas defense that is missing Parsons' presence enormously. Peters will have contingency plans in place, and further clarity should become available in the coming days as attention turns to Washington's crucial Week 3 home showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders.