Commanders released Will Harris
The Washington Commanders didn't meet expectations during their preseason loss to the Detroit Lions. While the result was insignificant in the grand scheme of things, head coach Dan Quinn was not happy, claiming his squad was in disarray throughout the warm-up contest.
Action was taken. The Commanders held a padded practice on Monday instead of a walk-through, and the franchise sent a strong warning by releasing two veteran players who failed to meet the required standards.
Will Harris was among them. The safety inexplicably blew an assignment in Detroit, allowing quarterback Joshua Dobbs the freedom of Ford Field for a 50-yard rushing touchdown. That went overlooked initially, but it was the final nail in his proverbial Commanders' coffin.
Grade: A
Harris was cut without much fanfare attached. The Commanders thought he could fill the void left by Jeremy Chinn, and they were wrong. And in all honesty, it was the only call they could make after his preseason disaster.
Commanders signed Krys Barnes
The Commanders' roster decisions towards the bottom end will center on special-teams value. It's an overlooked but integral part of a team's overall strategy, and it also provides a way for those on the fringes to carve out niches beyond the offensive or defensive rotations.
This was particularly evident with the signing of Krys Barnes. While the linebacker is never going to unseat the likes of Sonny Styles, Frankie Luvu, or Leo Chenal for playing time, he's already provided stern competition on the special teams side of things during his brief stint with the organization.
Making the squad will be a long shot for Barnes. But his arrival does raise urgency.
Grade: B+
Barnes flashed on the Carolina Panthers' defensive rotation when called upon last season while also conjuring up a few splash plays on special teams. His chances of securing a roster spot in Washington are remote, but the Commanders may keep him on the practice squad as a useful insurance policy.
Commanders signed Tre' McKitty
The Commanders look pretty set at the tight end position. Free-agent signing Chig Okonkwo is the new pass-catching threat. John Bates is the blocking specialist. Undrafted free agent Colson Yankoff and 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott have both displayed upside this summer in David Blough's offense.
Four tight ends is all the Commanders will take through. That makes it almost impossible for the rest, which means Tre' McKitty is already fighting a losing battle.
McKitty joined following a recent successful tryout. He came into the league as a pre-draft darling, eventually taken in the third round by the Los Angeles Chargers. Unfortunately, this promise hasn't been fulfilled yet.
The athletic gifts are evident with McKitty, but something is missing. Even so, with Lawrence Cager struggling to make an impression, there might be a window for the Georgia product to secure a place on the practice squad to continue his development.
Grade: C
But he could just as easily be a camp body the Commanders don't keep around, given he hasn't seen an NFL field since 2023.
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