Commanders News: Ron Rivera, Logan Thomas, Quan Matin and name return demand

Which Washington Commanders news stories are hitting the headlines as the team gears up for their second joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens?

After things got heated on multiple occasions during practice with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, it'll be fascinating to see how the Washington Commanders approach today's joint session. They more than held their own against a potential playoff contender, which should give them plenty of heart and also provide fans with extra reassurance that this group won't back down from any fight during the 2023 campaign.

Of course, the news and rumors never stop. Among the stories generating debate recently include Logan Thomas' precarious situation, Ron Rivera on the importance of controlled intensity, Quan Martin's impressive transition, and a group calling for Washington's old name to be restored.

Let's delve into each topic in more detail.

Commanders TE Logan Thomas' precarious situation

It's been frustrating to see Logan Thomas miss so much time through injury. The tight end came into the offseason with a renewed sense of purpose, but the Washington Commanders decided to almost completely shut him down after a calf strain to minimize the risk of further complications when the regular season arrives.

Thomas will still have a big role to play within Eric Bieniemy's scheme, but banking on him playing a full 17-game slate cannot be guaranteed. Couple this with the emergence of second-year-pro Cole Turner, and it's not hard to see why the converted quarterback's situation is precarious according to Enzo Floji from Clutch Points.

"Starting tight end Logan Thomas couldn't join team practices because of a calf injury. To nobody's surprise, the team is being careful with him since he's a bit older. As such, a young gun like Cole Turner could step in for him. That would make sense as he's currently doing a good job. Turner is doing a pretty good job running his routes, and he's a reliable target for the quarterbacks, especially in short-to-medium passes. He's had a good camp, and if he keeps it up, he might become coach Ron Rivera's first choice to step into the starting unit if Thomas' injury persists."

- Enzo Floji, Clutch Points

The Commanders are erring on the side of caution, which is understandable. But if Thomas suffers the same issues that blighted his 2023 season, then Washington could move forward with Turner much sooner than anticipated.