5 winners (and 2 losers) from Commanders joint practice vs. Dolphins
By Dean Jones
Winner No. 2
Jeremy Chinn - Commanders S
Jeremy Chinn is relishing the prospect of starting fresh in a different environment. The versatile defensive weapon's once-promising career with the Carolina Panthers fizzled out due to injuries and scheme fit. He believes the Washington Commanders represent the best destination to galvanize his fortunes. Based on early impressions, this looks like a match made in heaven.
Chinn is starting to assert his dominance. He's benefitting greatly from a scheme that suits his strengths. Dan Quinn's got the former second-round selection humming quickly - something that was once again evident during the team's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins.
The Southern Illinois product came up with an eye-catching pass breakup and hardly put a foot wrong anchoring the backend according to those watching the session. Any doubts some fans might have had about this signing should be long gone, replaced by optimism that this could be something more than a short-term arrangement.
There's added motivation and urgency where Chinn is concerned. He wants to silence his doubters and return to the form that saw him take the NFL by storm as a rookie. That's a tough ask, but he's off to a tremendous start.
Loser No. 1
Bo Bauer - Commanders LB
Bo Bauer's chances of making the 53-man roster were remote. The undrafted free-agent linebacker got an opportunity to showcase his credentials and has done well to make it this far into training camp. However, he suffered the worst luck imaginable at the wrong time.
Bauer's joint practice versus the Dolphins came screeching to an abrupt halt over the opening exchanges. The second-level presence went down and looked visibly frustrated, punching the field and getting carted away from the session for further examination.
This is a body blow to Bauer's slim hopes of making the squad. Much will depend on the complication's severity, but a situation could emerge where the Commanders waive him with an injury settlement if the issue is something long term.
That sounds harsh, but it's the nature of the business. Hopefully, it's nothing too serious and Bauer can at least finish the offseason program. But the NFL isn't always that kind.