In hindsight, the Washington Commanders’ battle with the Los Angeles Chargers was already over by the middle of the third quarter. But no one knew it at the time.
The Commanders were up by a touchdown and had driven all the way to the Chargers' 13-yard line. They faced a 2nd-and-5.
Washington was in the process of finishing a rather extraordinary turnaround after looking all but dead in the first quarter. The offense was anemic. The defense couldn’t stop rookie running back Omarion Hampton or any of the Chargers' pass catchers. But a crucial fumble seemed to ignite both units, and the Commanders scored 17 straight points.
One more score would clinch it.
On second down, Jayden Daniels rolled to his left. With the Chargers bearing down on him, the quarterback found wide receiver Chris Moore in the back corner of the end zone with a step on his defender.
Daniels delivered a perfect strike. Moore dropped it. Washington would have to settle for a field goal and a 20-10 lead.
Commanders need to elevate younger receivers and cut ties with Chris Moore
Moore has never been a star, but he has been a survivor. After being picked in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, he crafted a 10-year journeyman career.
The Commanders are his fifth stop. Moore has never been a regular starter but has provided serviceable depth and been a solid contributor on special teams.
The fact that he is still on the roster is somewhat surprising. During the preseason, Washington had three veteran wideouts looking to secure a backup spot behind projected starters Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Noah Brown. The Commanders had several promising youngsters, but they also seemed to want a more experienced backup.
Moore did little to impress during the preseason games, but when the roster dust settled, he had beaten out both Michael Gallup and K.J. Osborn for a spot on the practice squad. Brown’s continuing injury struggles have led him to be active in four of Washington’s first five games. McLaurin’s recent quad issues have opened up even more room for the backup wideouts.
Some of those players have stepped up. Luke McCaffrey is establishing himself as a dangerous weapon. Jaylin Lane is flashing considerable play potential, and even young veteran Tay Martin has a catch in two straight games.
But Moore is going in the opposite direction.
He has now been targeted four times in the last two games without a catch. The drop against Los Angeles could have been disastrous. Fortunately, it wasn’t, in part because Washington’s young stars like Daniels and Jacorey Croskey-Merritt wouldn’t allow it.
It is time for the Commanders to give other young players, like McCaffrey and Lane, more opportunities. McLaurin and Brown may be back soon, but even if their injuries linger, it doesn’t look like Moore has a role to play in Washington’s offense.
Martin has proven to be a solid special teams player and decent pass catcher. Ja’Corey Brooks, who looked far more explosive than Moore throughout the preseason, remains waiting for a call-up from the practice squad. Veteran deep ball threat Robbie Chosen was just signed. The Commanders have other options.
It is time to give some other players their shot. That drop in the back of the end zone at SoFi Stadium may not have cost the Commanders the game, but it may have marked the end of Moore’s time in Washington.