Which Washington Commanders players could be tough cuts depending on what happens during their preseason final versus the Cincinnati Bengals?
The Washington Commanders aren't expected to play their projected starters in Preseason Week 3. They got a good amount of reps on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens, so shutting them down to minimize the risk of injury represents a sensible course of action with the regular season on the horizon.
Saturday's game is the final opportunity for those further down the pecking order to shine. Ron Rivera stated that some opportunities remain to secure roster spots depending on what transpires at FedEx Field, with difficult decisions awaiting Washington's coaching staff before the dreaded final cuts are due.
Some are in a precarious position. Others have almost no shot. And there are individuals that hold some sentimental value to those in power with their fortunes hanging in the balance.
With this in mind, here are three tough cuts the Commanders could make after their last warmup contest.
Tyler Larsen - Commanders OL
Tyler Larsen would be seen as a roster bubble candidate considering the options across the Washington Commanders' offensive line. However, he will be a tough cut considering his close association with head coach Ron Rivera.
Larsen is a trusted associate of Rivera's from their time together on the Carolina Panthers. He was pretty solid all things considered last season despite some injury troubles, but the additions of Ricky Stromberg and Braeden Daniels via the 2023 NFL Draft leave his fortunes hanging by a thread.
Rivera is experienced enough to keep this professional, especially considering how much is on the line in 2023. Larsen could make the team, but much will depend on how the coaching staff perceives Stromberg's contribution throughout the team's preparations.
John Ridgeway - Commanders DL
In all honesty, the chances of Ron Rivera giving up on John Ridgeway after one professional season appear remote. The former fifth-round selection has all the physical intangibles normally associated with solid depth pieces on the defensive line, although it's hard to gauge whether he could become anything more than that based on his rookie campaign.
Ridgeway became something of a cult hero among Washington Commanders fans thanks to his tireless approach and larger-than-life personality. But there is no room for sentiment where those in power are concerned given how much pressure is on their shoulders with Josh Harris' ownership group assessing everything associated with the franchise.
Washington's defensive front has an embarrassment of riches across the board. This indicates a tough cut or two is coming thanks to the numbers game if nothing else, which could end up being someone like Ridgeway unless the interior presence shows out in their preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Again, this would be a shocking cut at Ridgeway's current phase of development. But the recent signing of defensive tackle Antonio Montalvo indicates the primary decision-makers aren't quite happy with their options lower down the depth chart.
Ridgeway should get a ton of reps in Washington's final warmup game. If he doesn't show enough in the face of backups and third-stringers, Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio have a big call to make.
Mitchell Tinsley - Commanders WR
There's been a lot to like about the way Mitchell Tinsley's applied himself since joining the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent. The wide receiver looked the part at training camp, has shone when targets arrived during the preseason so far and looks to be building some positive momentum at the most important time.
Tinsley is a popular member of the locker room and is one of the more intriguing depth pieces that fans are keeping an eye on. However, his fate remains a relatively unknown quantity within a wide receiver room that's stacked with talent.
One could make a strong case for five spots already being filled in the form of Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Jahan Dotson, Dyami Brown, and Byron Pringle. Kazmeir Allen or Dax Milne could get the sixth position thanks to their ability in the return game, which might leave Tinsley on the outside looking in as a tough cut given his contribution this summer.
An undrafted free agent being let go wouldn't be such a big deal in typical circumstances. That is completely ignoring the relentless work Tinsley's put in throughout the offseason to get noticed - something that makes him a primary practice squad candidate if he doesn't do enough.
Of course, there is enough intriguing tape to wonder if another team will secure Tinsley's services if he does end up on waivers. If that's the decision, it'll most likely be a difficult conversation for Ron Rivera to have.