The Washington Commanders swiftly signed offensive lineman Lucas Niang when Nate Herbig opted to retire just a few days into training camp. Unfortunately, general manager Adam Peters must pivot again after a devastating blow to the player.
Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Niang had torn his ACL in Washington's first preseason game against the New England Patriots. This likely rules him out for the entire 2025 campaign and eviscerates any hope he had of making the Commanders' roster.
His time in Washington will probably end barely after it began. The Commanders were only going to bury Niang down the depth chart. Therefore, the chances of him being waived with an injury settlement are extremely high.
Commanders must pivot again after Lucas Niang's cruel injury blow
This isn't what Niang had in mind when he joined the Commanders. He no doubt thought this was a tremendous opportunity to make the 53-man roster and potentially contribute to a contender. Looking at the struggles of others on the offensive line, he looked like a dark horse candidate with a smooth transition.
Now, those aspirations have been dashed in the cruelest way possible. The NFL can be the harshest environment, where one injury or incident can change everything. Niang found that out to his cost, and it's going to take a monumental effort to get healthy en route to potentially getting another shot somewhere else.
Peters should have a contingency plan in place. He thinks of every eventuality and leaves absolutely nothing to chance. Niang was Plan B after Herbig opted to walk away from the gridiron entirely. Now, the respected front-office leader must go to Plan C.
It's not ideal, but at least it's not a starting option. That would come with far graver circumstances, even if it doesn't provide any solace to Niang right now.
The Commanders will roll with the punches. Niang's injury is the worst so far this offseason, but there will be others when the campaign progresses. Washington's depth is coming under scrutiny after an embarrassing effort versus the Patriots, so it's up to Quinn and his staff to get them up to speed to ensure they are fully prepared for when their number is called.
Those plans no longer include Niang, likely ending his extremely brief time with the organization. And we wish him nothing but the best in his recovery.