7 Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 4 at the Cardinals

Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE

The Washington Commanders have some defensive problems. Kliff Kingsbury's offense is masking these with their outstanding run of scoring on every non-kneel-down drive over the last two games. That won't last, so Joe Whitt Jr.'s unit needs to be more organized if this team wants to become the league's surprise package in 2024.

Two things are holding the Commanders back right now. We've spoken about their lack of consistency in the secondary. But this isn't aided by a non-existent pass rush that cannot generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks with enough frequency.

It needs to be a collective effort. However, more is expected from Dorance Armstroing Jr. than most following his high-profile arrival from the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.

Armstrong played the best football of his career under Dan Quinn in a rotational role. Things have been more complicated as a starting focal point, but this weekend's game at the Arizona Cardinals represents a good chance to finally generate some momentum.

The Cardinals have arguably their top-three right tackles all dealing with injuries. Armstrong needs to expose this weakness and create havoc from start to finish at State Farm Stadium.

Brian Robinson Jr. - Commanders RB

As previously stated, being on the hot seat doesn't necessarily mean that a player's status is in question. It also means that circumstances surrounding the team mean they must put in a top-notch performance in pursuit of victory.

That's the case with Brian Robinson Jr. The talented running back made an impressive start to the campaign. He didn't put up big numbers in Week 3 at the Cincinnati Bengals, but he kept the defense honest and set the table for Jayden Daniels to have his breakout performance on Monday Night Football.

The Commanders need this and more from Robinson in Week 4 at the Arizona Cardinals. Austin Ekeler has already been ruled out with a concussion, so the onus falls squarely on the former third-round selection out of Alabama to shoulder almost 100 percent of the burden versus a team giving up 123.3 yards per game on the ground through three weeks.

There's nothing to suggest Robinson isn't capable of reaching these feats. He's already proved that this season with an outstanding display of explosiveness and gap exploitation in Week 2 against the New York Giants.

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