Commanders News: Sam Howell, Josh Harris, Ron Rivera and CB changes
By Dean Jones
Which Washington Commanders news stories are hitting the headlines as preparations continue for their Week 15 game at the Los Angeles Rams?
There was an extra sense of energy in the air as the Washington Commanders returned to practice after their bye week on Wednesday. Some activity is also transpiring behind the scenes as Ron Rivera looks to end the campaign on a high before being relieved of his duties as head coach.
Excitement about what comes next is evident across the fanbase. But for the Commanders, it's about the next game at the Los Angeles Rams and nothing more. Until then, the stories causing conversation include cornerback changes, Sam Howell's mindset down the stretch, Josh Harris' presence making people look at Washington differently, and Rivera looking to finish strongly.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Commanders CB changes
Even though the Washington Commanders have nothing to play for other than personal pride this season, it hasn't stopped those in power from making roster moves in pursuit of a strong finish. The latest of these came on Wednesday when cornerback Danny Johnson was surprisingly released just a few short months after signing a fully guaranteed two-year extension.
Johnson's been a core part of the rotation in recent weeks. However, this move signals the intent from Washington to give young guys such as Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin prominent reps as part of the team's ongoing evaluations.
In a corresponding move, the Commanders picked up Kyu Blu Kelly off the waiver wire following his departure from the Green Bay Packers. He was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and boasts some intriguing qualities that intrigued the coaching staff enough to get an extended look in the coming weeks.