4 shocking Commanders cut candidates emerging from 2024 training camp
By Dean Jones
Darrick Forrest - Commanders S
The Washington Commanders look strong at the safety position despite letting Kamren Curl sign for the Los Angeles Rams in free agency without offering him a new deal. Players are rising to the challenge and competition is heightening to levels not seen for some time. This is tremendous news in pursuit of getting everyone to perform better, but not everybody is going to make it.
Darrick Forrest was an undisputed starter on the backend alongside Curl last season. They were seen as one of the league's most gifted young safety tandems and hefty things were expected in 2023. Unfortunately, things took a sour turn early on.
Forrest's hopes of taking another significant leap were dealt a cruel blow. The former Cincinnati star suffered a shoulder complication that ended his campaign after just five games. There was no point in risking him down the stretch even if the defensive back was ready. It was another season that promised much and delivered little, leaving new general manager Adam Peters with no option other than to implement substantial alterations across the roster.
Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. like their players to be big, fast, and physical in the secondary. The Commanders are moving forward with free-agent signing Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin as their starting safety duo based on the early impressions at training camp according to those in attendance. Forrest's been on the fringes, which led to speculation about his role and status on the 53-man roster under Washington's improved coaching staff.
Forrest is dealing with a hamstring issue which has kept him out of a few practices. Quinn stated that the issue isn't serious, but it's allowed others vying for roster places to step up and make their presence felt.
Sixth-round pick Dominique Hampton received praise from the coaching staff for the way he's transitioned this summer. Tyler Owens - the athletically gifted undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech - is making big plays almost every session to give himself a fighting chance. Couple this with Jeremy Reaves' outstanding special teams contribution, a situation could emerge where Forrest doesn't make the squad.
Not taking Forrest through is a gamble. However, stranger things have happened in the NFL.