5 Commanders players who helped themselves most during preseason win vs. Ravens

Cole Turner - Commanders TE

Logan Thomas is still penciled in as the team’s top receiving tight end, but his injury woes have to be a growing concern. Players aged 32 years old or more rarely get healthier as a season churns along.

Even if Thomas is able to return to form, 2022 draftee Cole Turner is carving out a spot for himself with the first unit.

Playing as the primary receiving tight end through the first two games, Turner has been targeted six times and has caught them all. These have come early and often, as the former fifth-rounder appears to be developing into one of Sam Howell’s favorite options when the game begins.

Turner has shown a knack for getting open in the middle of the field as well as good hands. He has not shown much in the way of yards-after-catch, but if he can be that reliable security blanket for Howell, he will see his role increase regardless of Thomas’ health.

On the first important play of the game – a third-and-15 with the Washington Commanders already down 7-0 – Turner is the receiver Howell found for the conversion. He even contributed a couple of good blocks, which was not supposed to be his strength.

After an injury-plagued rookie season, Turner is showing that he could become a very valuable weapon. He also happens to be situated in a position of need.