The Washington Commanders now have a productive cornerback trio they can rely on. Amik Robertson and Rasul Douglas have been joined by Trey Amos, who wasted no time in hitting the ground running after almost a year on the shelf.
This has made Mike Sainristil an afterthought. The 2024 second-round pick didn't play a single defensive snap on Sunday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles, though he did catch the eye on special teams once again.
The Commanders didn't draft him for that. And with the trade deadline fast approaching, rumors are swirling that Sainristil could be dumped if a suitable offer arrives.
Conflicting Mike Sainristil trade rumors place Commanders intentions under scrutiny
But the reports are conflicting.
Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer thought that Sainristil may attract interest if the Commanders become more receptive to offers. The Detroit Lions were named as a possible suitor, and the corner's previous connection to Mike Macdonald from their time together at Michigan naturally made the Seattle Seahawks another intriguing possibility.
But apparently it's not that simple.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, who'd also heard the chatter around Sainristil this week, didn't get the sense that the Commanders wanted to move the third-year pro. If accurate, this means they don't want to give up on the No. 50 overall selection two years ago, and he seems to have accepted his new place in the pecking order.
It's a contentious issue among fans. But after the number of injuries Washington has dealt with this season, depth is important almost everywhere.
Nothing should be off limits, of course. At the same time, Sainristil's contract is cheap, he knows the system, and he's a solid enough backup despite failing to meet expectations since entering the league.
Commanders may not trade Mike Sainristil amid constant injury turmoil
Given his abysmal play this season, the Commanders would get very little back if they moved on from Sainristil. Just trading players for the sake of it doesn't seem like general manager Adam Peters' style. So unless it's an offer he cannot refuse, keeping the defensive back around seems feasible.
If Amos, Robertson, and Douglas all stay healthy, Sainristil will remain on the fringes. They also have versatile defensive backs who can fill in if they get hurt.
Sainristil is getting some breathing space from the backlash. Getting some time to learn from the sidelines while also helping on special teams has worked for struggling players in the past, and the Commanders are hoping for the same here.
But it could go either way.
If the Commanders keep Sainristil and he cannot turn things around, he'll be a cut candidate during the 2027 offseason. They won't get anything in return, but it would likely be nothing more than a Day 3 pick swap at best right now, in any case.
The Commanders lost their two biggest trade chips — wide receiver Terry McLaurin and defensive lineman Daron Payne — to season-ending injuries. Washington also still believes it can compete for the NFC East title, so Peters might not be inclined to sell anybody.
It would be surprising if Peters waved the white flag on another draft pick, no matter how poorly Sainristil has played.
However, that doesn't change the uncertain future he faces without a major turnaround.
Add us as a preferred source on Google