Commanders took advantage of their short-term out with Emmanuel Forbes Jr.

It's not been easy for Emmanuel Forbes Jr. over his early career. The cornerback looks nothing like the shutdown force previous head coach Ron Rivera envisaged when he passed on Christian Gonzalez to take him at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Anyone expecting an immediate turnaround under the new regime was out of luck in the worst way imaginable.

The Washington Commanders went through significant complications defensively in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nobody in the secondary covered themselves in glory aside from perhaps Noah Igbinoghene during his limited involvement. One could make a strong case that Forbes was the worst of a bad bunch.

Forbes once again struggled to cover wide receivers effectively in a competitive regular-season setting. He went to the bench after being responsible for two penalties on the same play. The former Mississippi State star got involved once again in the second half, but the same problems were rife and he saw out the closing stages on the sidelines.

Commanders must ensure Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s spends his recovery time wisely

If that wasn't bad enough, Forbes suffered a thumb injury to further complicate matters. Despite being listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday, reports emerged that the player was going to have surgery to repair the UCL tear. Washington's coaching staff wanted it sorted now rather than risking any more damage throughout the season.

Considering the way Forbes' career has gone since being drafted No. 16 overall, there might not have been many involved in discussions who voted to keep him out there. He didn't exactly set the world alight at optimum health. With an added issue to factor into the equation, it made the decision a simple one.

This was another body blow to Forbes' chances of firmly establishing himself. It's just one game and one injury, but some sections of the fanbase have seen enough. That's not an opinion shared by head coach Dan Quinn, who stated they will continue their development plan with the defensive back and pleaded patience despite things taking another torrid turn.

"We’re working really hard to develop him. Would he want some plays back? You bet. But I’d also say this is a young player we’re developing and working with him. He’s improving, and going to improve."

- Dan Quinn via USA Today Sports

The Commanders see something in Forbes, even if those who were steadfast in their belief of the corner pre-draft are no longer around. There are going to be times of struggle - even Quinn has accepted that. But he's not giving up in pursuit of unlocking what untapped potential remains.

Taking Forbes out of the firing line - albeit due to injury - might actually be a good thing. It gives the cornerback a chance to breathe and learn from the sidelines. He needs to study as much film as possible and seek counsel from experienced figures inside the organization or out. That's the only way he's going to turn the tide.

This also provides the Commanders with an opportunity to see what others might be capable of. Noah Igbinoghene and Michael Davis stand to benefit most from Forbes' absence. General manager Adam Peters might also look for additional reinforcements from the remaining veteran pool if he feels like more is needed. Either way, someone must step up within a secondary that played a leading role in their Week 1 demise.

Forbes has navigated plenty of challenges since coming to the pros. This spell away from the gridiron is the latest. However, it's something he could potentially benefit from greatly if the interception machine in college uses his time wisely.

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