Commanders could regret parting ways with ascending edge rusher

The Washington Commanders have taken their roster down from 90 players to an initial 53-man roster after an eventful offseason. Competition for places was fierce and the standards were raised across the board. Close relationships quickly came to the fore, which made the decisions all the more tougher for those in positions of power.

Adam Peters is running the Commanders with a business-first model with no sentiment attached whatsoever. Trading wide receiver Jahan Dotson - a former first-round pick who didn't fit into the team's way of thinking - to the Philadelphia Eagles was another example of very few being safe.

It's a delicate time of year with players seeing their NFL dreams crushed in the blink of an eye. That said, the new front-office leader didn't harbor any emotion toward his decision-making process within a more professional setup.

Some roster choices were tougher than others. Players who were buried down the depth chart or found themselves playing prominent minutes in Washington's preseason finale against the New England Patriots were preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Even those who make it aren't safe with the Commanders boasting plenty of salary-cap space and sitting at No. 2 on the waiver wire priority order.

Commanders could regret letting K.J. Henry depart

One of the more surprising departures centered on K.J. Henry. The Commanders don't have much strength in depth within their edge-rushing room. Despite putting together a decent offseason under Dan Quinn's coaching staff, it wasn't enough to go through onto the initial 53-man squad.

Henry will no doubt feel a little aggrieved by his eventual fate. The former Clemson standout didn't do much wrong and can walk away with his head held high. This is more a numbers game rather than anything from a talent deficiency perspective. However, it'll still be a bitter pill to swallow.

This is a blow, but it's not the end of Henry's journey by any stretch of the imagination. The chances of Washington bringing him back onto the practice squad are high. His quality production throughout the summer suggests some interest could also arrive from elsewhere.

Teams are always looking for additional pass-rushing depth. The Commanders face an anxious wait to get Henry onto the practice squad. That's probably what Peters wants, especially given his familiarity with the scheme in the event he's elevated during the regular season. But don't be surprised if he gets another roster shot quickly.

Not every decision was going to please everybody. There needs to be a level of trust attached given Peters' reputation in league circles and the outstanding job he's done since his appointment. If he thought others could perform better and fit in more effectively, he had every right to make Henry surplus to requirements - for now, at least.

This is not the end for Henry. It's merely a bump in the road. When one door closes, another inevitably opens. That's the way he should approach his current predicament once the disappointment subsides.

Players go through a proverbial career whirlwind at this time of year. Henry has found that out to his cost. However, all hope is not just yet.

It's a crazy business.

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