Struggling Commanders signing abruptly exits after harsh reality sets in

The Washington Commanders raised a few eyebrows by signing veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau before Day 6 of training camp. It was somewhat surprising, but it didn't take long to figure out why general manager Adam Peters moved so swiftly.

The team confirmed that Akhello Witherspoon, who only joined the Commanders earlier this offseason in free agency, had been placed on the reserve/retired list. Obviously, he no longer had the motivation, and walking away entirely was his desired option.

Players know when it's time. Witherspoon's inconsistent start to life in Washington probably played a role in his decision, but he's also dealt with some significant injury issues in recent years. Couple this with Rasul Douglas' arrival before camp pushing him even further down the depth chart, and his retirement becomes more understandable.

Ahkello Witherspoon walked away after indifferent Commanders start this summer

Witherspoon was a top performer at the peak of his powers. His size, length, and coverage ability were top-notch. Unfortunately for the 2017 third-round pick, staying healthy was a real problem.

Any time Witherspoon generated positive momentum, an extended spell on the sidelines seemed to follow. It was one disastrous setback after another, but the Commanders believed there was some good football left to give.

Things didn't go well. Witherspoon's performances over OTAs and mandatory minicamp didn't exactly blow anyone away. There wasn't much said about him over the first week of training camp, and other corners were clearly outshining him.

Judging by the swiftness of his retirement decision, Witherspoon probably saw it too.

The former Colorado standout's career will always be tinged with what might have been. Witherspoon had all the tools to be classed among the best cornerbacks anywhere in the league if he'd gotten a better run of luck on the health front. Fortune didn't work in his favor, but with $17.75 million in career NFL earnings, a comfortable retirement should await.

Commanders have enough to cope without Ahkello Witherspoon

As for the Commanders? It's unlikely Witherspoon will be missed all that much.

Trey Amos (when healthy), Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, and Douglas were all ahead of him. Moreau can add the same sort of experienced depth, and he may even be better suited to Daronte Jones' concepts after working with Washington's new defensive coordinator for two years on the Minnesota Vikings.

With Quan Martin potentially spending more time in the nickel, that might be all Washington needs.

Witherspoon will have no regrets. Injuries decimated his chances of a truly prolific career, but he can look back on his accomplishments with an enormous sense of pride. He was also smart enough to see his situation in Washington for what it was.

When the juice isn't there anymore — when practice and meetings become a chore, and you are a yard off the pace — it only ends one way. And Witherspoon joins Nate Herbig as a recent Commanders player who retired before playing a competitive snap.

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