Commanders News: Sam Howell, Montez Sweat, Phidarian Mathis and Ron Rivera
By Dean Jones
Which Washington Commanders news stories are hitting the headlines as preparations continue for their Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles?
Plenty of uncertainty surrounds the Washington Commanders following their cataclysmic loss at the New York Giants in Week 7. Ron Rivera is under increasing scrutiny with the team sitting at 3-4, with talk of potential outgoings before the trade deadline showing no signs of slowing down with just a few days remaining until the October 31 cut-off point.
There's also the small matter of taking on the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. Until then, the stories causing conversation include Phidarian Mathis' progress, Sam Howell calling for togetherness, Ron Rivera on making adjustments, and Montez Sweat's future.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Commanders' DT Phidarian Mathis nearing a return
Fans haven't seen much of Phidarian Mathis since the Washington Commanders made him their second-round selection in 2022. The formidable defensive tackle lasted just a few snaps during his rookie season before being placed on the shelf and an unfortunate complication before the current campaign landed on injured/reserve yet again.
It's been a torrid run of luck for Mathis so far, but there is now light at the end of the tunnel. The team confirmed that it had opened the former Alabama star's 21-day window to make a return to practice, which is a huge step in the right direction.
While expectations should be tempered regarding an immediate return to the lineup for Mathis, this represents a good sign that he's on the correct trajectory with a view to contributing at some stage later in the season. After such a frustrating period to begin his career, any reps would be a bonus for the Commanders at this point.