The Washington Commanders only have three healthy cornerbacks on their initial 53-man roster. And the concerns around 2025 second-round pick Trey Amos couldn't be more glaring.
It's been another frustrating summer for the promising defensive back. Amos worked exceptionally hard to get back from a fractured fibula, which brought his encouraging rookie campaign to an abrupt halt. Unfortunately, he suffered an ankle sprain early in his second practice at training camp and hasn't been seen since.
Now, Amos is on injured reserve and designated to return. This means he will miss some time during the 2025 campaign, and being without the Ole Miss product for the first four games represents a body blow to Washington's plans for defensive growth.
Trey Amos' concerns are only deepening before critical Commanders season
Fans saw this coming, too.
It was hard to ignore the concern on head coach Dan Quinn's face when discussing Amos. He didn't give a clear indication of when he would return to practice, and the ankle sprain is clearly taking longer than expected to heal. Missing time in the regular season is the latest setback for a player whom Washington has high hopes for in the long term.
And even when Amos gets the all-clear to resume football activities, the chances of him being able to hit the ground running with starter-level reps are remote.
Until Amos gets the green light, the Commanders will be counting heavily on the threadbare options they have.
Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, and Rasul Douglas are the only corners on the team right now. Quan Martin and Tyler Owens could play in the nickel if needed, and there is a good chance Fabian Moreau comes back in some capacity despite not quite doing enough to make the initial 53-man squad.
The Commanders will just have to roll with the punches. But considering Amos was expected to be the alpha in Washington's cornerback unit with legitimate breakout potential, his unavailability is worrying.
To say the least.
Realistically, the Commanders may not see the very best of Amos until after their bye week. That'll be almost midway through the campaign, and given the tough start ahead for Quinn's squad, his absence could have a detrimental impact against some of the league's more impressive passing attacks.
Until more clarity arrives from the Commanders, it's a waiting game for fans. Hopefully, there will be no more setbacks, and Amos can have the career most anticipated by Washington's facility when they took him at No. 61 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Anything less, and corner will be among the Commanders' biggest needs when the 2027 offseason arrives.
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