The Washington Commanders' defense has capitulated in the second half of recent games. Perhaps not coincidentally, this all started when veteran safety Nick Cross was forced to the sideline with an internal issue.
Cross quickly became the defensive linchpin after joining in free agency. The Commanders were expecting him to set the tone, and he did so effectively en route to an impressive start before a cruel stroke of fortune.
Now, he's back.
Nick Cross' return improves the Commanders' defensive dynamic
According to head coach Dan Quinn, Cross is among the returning players who will be full-go during preparations for their Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers. He was listed as a full participant in practice on Thursday, which is a positive step in the right direction.
Cross seems to be clearing his return hurdles. And if the same trend continues in the coming days, he'll be on the field in prime time.
That is huge.
This will change the dynamic of Washington's defense.
Cross may have some coverage deficiencies, but he is a relentless competitor with an infectious mindset that lifts the whole team. And when the going gets tough, and everything is on the line, big characters like this are essential.
The Commanders won't have it easy against the Niners.
Kyle Shanahan's squad is undefeated through five games. Despite dealing with some troubling injuries of their own, they are making things work. And they will be heavily favored to keep this trend going against a Washington squad under intense pressure.
Commanders need Nick Cross to help halt their alarming second-half slumps
Cross manning the middle of the field will give everyone a huge lift. It won't solve every problem, but when Niners running back Christian McCaffrey breaks into the second level, the Maryland product will be among those ready to greet him.
There was real concern around Cross. He played the first two games, but an internal issue after their contest against the Dallas Cowboys resulted in an overnight hospital stay.
The Commanders have taken things extremely cautiously, and rightfully so. But now, everything is pointing to the standout safety getting back into the fold.
For a defense that has given up 367.3 yards per game in the three contests Cross has missed, his return cannot be overstated.
Of course, this won't be good news for everybody.
Cross's return will likely mean fewer snaps for others. Quan Martin is most likely to make way, though Jeremy Reaves could also see reduced involvement after being limited in practice with a rib issue.
That's to be determined. But either way, the Commanders' defensive back end gets a whole lot better with Cross' presence.
Internal injuries are serious. Wide receiver Noah Brown suffered one in Washington and wasn't the same player again. The nature of it hasn't been disclosed, but it was concerning enough to get an extended spell out to rest and heal.
It's had the desired effect. And given Cross' supreme competitiveness, he'll be eager to make up for some lost time.
The Commanders might not beat the Niners. But with Cross back, they won't go down without a fight.
And who knows, perhaps this will also make their second-half defense better along the way.
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