Entering the Washington Commanders' Week 2 Thursday Night Football contest against the Green Bay Packers, one of the biggest concerns was the uncertain availability of veteran punter Tress Way.
The Commanders' longest-tenured player was dealing with a back injury after taking a hard fall when New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter ran into him on a partially blocked punt in Week 1. He was limited in practice and deemed questionable for the contest on the final injury report.
Not only did Way play, but he was one of Washington's lone bright spots in defeat.
Tress Way continues to be Commanders' model of consistency through good times and bad
Throughout his entire 12-year career, Way has never missed a game due to injury. There were years during Washington's dark era in the late 2010s when the two-time Pro Bowler could be considered the team's most productive player. After the Commanders' success in 2024, those days were supposed to be over.
It was back to old times in this one. Way punted on four occasions and made the most of his duties. He pinned Green Bay inside its own 20-yard line on three of his four kicks, which averaged 46.8 yards. His most productive punt was the first, when he and Washington's special team gunners forced the Packers to start their next drive at their own four-yard line.
Unfortunately, the Commanders' defense wasn't able to capitalize on the field position swing. Three plays later, the Packers were already in the red zone thanks to a pair of wide-open Tucker Kraft snags that combined for 72 yards. Green Bay would complete the drive with a touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs for the game's opening points.
In the second quarter, Way had another beauty to trap Green Bay at its own eight-yard line. Once again, the Packers wasted no time matriculating down the field in a drive that ended with a Josh Jacobs touchdown run.
Way can only do so much. Everything after the punting aspect is out of his hands.
The Commanders required Way's services only once after halftime, as they played more aggressively in fourth-down situations and moved the ball slightly better against a more conservative defense. It wasn't enough to rally for the win, but if there was any saving grace from the loss, it was the kickoff and punting units.
Washington's special teams were a disaster during the preseason as they allowed several lengthy returns, most notably a TreVeyon Henderson touchdown on the opening play of the first game. Thanks in large part to Way's continued excellence, at least that issue seems to have been solved.
The Commanders have a lot of problems right now. As always, Way isn't one of them.