Washington Commanders News

NFC EAST

Marcus Mariota • QB • Commanders

Commanders Place Marcus Mariota On Injured Reserve

The Washington Commanders have placed quarterback Marcus Mariota (chest) on injured reserve and have signed quarterback Sam Hartman from their practice squad. Mariota, who sustained a chest injury during Wednesday's practice, will be sidelined until at least early October. Washington had signed Mariota to a one-year, $6 million contract before drafting Jayden Daniels with their second-round pick. Mariota, a former No. 2 overall pick in 2015, had agreed to either mentor or start as needed for the team. This marks Mariota's first season with the Commanders after previous stints with the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, and Philadelphia Eagles. The rookie from Notre Dame will step in as the third-string quarterback behind Daniels, the starter, and Jeff Driskel, the new backup, for the start of the season.

4 hours ago

Marcus Mariota • QB • Commanders

Marcus Mariota Ruled Out For Week 1

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (chest, pectoral) has officially been ruled out for Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been limited on Wednesday but then did not practice on Thursday or Friday. His absence means that Washington will head into its first game of the year with Jeff Driskel backing up Jayden Daniels. Of course, Daniels, this year's No. 1 pick, is the only Washington quarterback worth rostering in fantasy football. He's a mid-to-low QB1 option against the Buccaneers.

10 hours ago

Byron Pringle • WR • Commanders

Commanders Release Byron Pringle

Washington Commanders wide receiver Byron Pringle was released on Friday, according to an announcement from the team. Pringle's best NFL season came in 2021 with the Chiefs. Last year with Washington, he appeared in all 17 games, catching 14 passes for 161 yards but zero touchdowns. He re-signed with the Commanders during the offseason but evidently won't crack the 53-man roster heading into Week 1 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Terry McLaurin remains the only surefire fantasy receiver in this offense, but rookie Luke McCaffrey could make a name for himself with solid volume and production.

10 hours ago

Cade York • K • Commanders

Cade York Looking To Claim Starting Role

Washington Commanders kicker Cade York joined the Commanders during the last week of August in exchange for a late-round pick, making him the new starting kicker. The Commanders opened the preseason with Riley Patterson and Ramiz Ahmed on their roster, but both failed to make the final cut after they missed several attempts. Last season, York did not attempt a field goal, but in his 2022 rookie campaign, he went 24-for-32 on attempts and 35-for-37 on extra points. The 23-year-old struggled from deep as he went a poor 4-for-7 from 50 or more yards. Fantasy managers should not consider York a streaming option in the season opener, given his inconsistent performances as a professional kicker. However, if Daniels can move the Washington offense down the field through the season, York could enter streaming conversations later on.

2 days ago

Zach Ertz • TE • Commanders

Zach Ertz To Serve As Safety Valve In Season Opener

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz could see a hefty amount of targets his way in the season opener, making him a high-end TE2 in all leagues. With many questions surrounding the No.2 receiver in Washington, Ertz could fill that role in the short term. Last season, the veteran appeared in just seven games before suffering a season-ending quadriceps injury. During this span, Ertz averaged a mere 7.4 PPR points but was targeted on 23.2% of his routes. Through his first taste of the regular season, rookie Jayden Daniels may lock on to Ertz in the middle of the field instead of pushing the ball outside. However, if the 33-year-old cannot perform, he may soon be replaced by rookie Ben Sinnott, who the Commanders selected in the second round of this year's draft. Facing the Buccaneers, who allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends last season, Ertz might be a sneaky play in DFS formats and a high-end TE2 in deeper leagues.

2 days ago

Dyami Brown • WR • Commanders

Dyami Brown Aims To Emerge As No. 2 Pass-Catcher

Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown looks to emerge as the No. 2 wideout in the season opener but should be left out of your starting lineups this weekend. Brown flashed some upside during the preseason, especially in the opening game, where he caught a 42-yard pass from quarterback Jayden Daniels. In the second game, he continued to build a connection with Daniels by seeing three targets on just one drive. Through his first three seasons in Washington, the UNC product totaled only 476 yards and three scores, making him a boom-or-bust option in Week 1. However, if Brown can claim the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, he could become a solid flex play as the season progresses as Daniels develops as a passer.

2 days ago

Terry McLaurin • WR • Commanders

Terry McLaurin Poised For Heavy Target Share In Season Opener

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin should be expected to see the vast majority of targets on Sunday afternoon and should be treated as a high-end WR2 in Week 1. Currently, the Commanders depth chart outside of the Ohio State product is looking quite bleak, with several unproven wideouts. Even after catching passes from multiple QBs every season of his career, the former third-round pick has posted a 1,000-yard campaign in all but one of his five professional campaigns. He now hopes to continue that same success with the new franchise QB in the nation's capital. In a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who surrendered the fifth-most 248.9 passing yards per game last year, McLaurin could be in store for a big game and get off to an excellent start as he looks to be the focal point of the Washington offense yet again.

2 days ago

Austin Ekeler • RB • Commanders

Austin Ekeler Looks To See Majority Of Receiving Work

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler is shaping up to be an RB3 or flex option in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ekeler had a difficult 2023 season as he battled a high ankle sprain early on, which clearly limited him throughout the campaign. However, in the offseason, he decided to take his talents to the DMV in the hope of reclaiming fantasy stardom. Fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to see the majority of the passing downs in a running back committee with Alabama product Brian Robinson Jr. During the preseason, Ekeler typically replaced Robinson on third downs but did see a few red zone attempts, which is something to monitor going forward as Ekeler has always shown a nose for the end zone throughout his career. For now, fantasy managers should treat Ekeler as an RB3 with the upside to see a heavy dose of targets his way.

2 days ago

Brian Robinson Jr. • RB • Commanders

Brian Robinson Jr. Shaping Up To Be Solid RB2 In Season Opener

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. should be started in all leagues as an RB2 in Week 1 as he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robinson is expected to be the slight leader in a committee with veteran Austin Ekeler. During the preseason, the Alabama product consistently saw the first carries of the game but was often replaced by Ekeler during third-down situations. Last season, the 25-year-old ran for 733 yards, punched in five scores, and tallied 368 yards and four scores through the air. Fantasy managers should expect Robinson to be a solid RB2 on Sunday with the upside to get goal-line work. However, expectations should be tempered slightly as the Buccaneers allowed the fifth-lowest 95.3 rushing yards per game last season.

2 days ago

Jayden Daniels • QB • Commanders

Jayden Daniels Carries Heavy Expectations In NFL Debut

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels should be locked into all starting lineups as he prepares to make his regular-season debut on Sunday afternoon. The reigning Heisman trophy winner looked sharp in his limited preseason action as he went 12-for-15 with 123 yards and added 16 rushing yards and a score with his legs. In his final season at LSU, the former number-two overall pick threw for 3,812 yards with 1,134 rushing yards and 50 combined scores. Daniels will line up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who surrendered 248.9 passing yards per game, which was the fourth-most in the league last season. Fantasy managers should feel confident placing the future of the Commanders in their starting lineup as he should provide not only a safe floor but the upside to finish near the top of his position.

2 days ago

Olamide Zaccheaus • WR • Commanders

Olamide Zaccheaus Starting In Week 1

Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus is listed as a starter alongside Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey to begin the 2024 campaign. This is somewhat of a surprise, but he has been gaining ground on the depth chart following the departure of Jahan Dotson, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Dan Quinn was a part of the Atlanta Falcons staff that brought Zaccheaus in as an undrafted free agent in 2019, so he has familiarity with the culture Quinn is trying to establish. Although the 27-year-old wideout has flashed at times throughout his career, his overall numbers of 104 receptions for 1,492 yards and 10 touchdowns in 72 career games aren't all that impressive. Either way, he should have his best opportunity to produce in 2024, though his upside is likely limited with rookie Jayden Daniels starting at quarterback.

4 days ago

Luke McCaffrey • WR • Commanders

Luke McCaffrey Listed With Starters To Begin Career

Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey was listed as one of three starting wideouts on the team's first official depth chart heading into a matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Following the departure of Jahan Dotson, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, the WR2 job behind Terry McLaurin is up for grabs. McCaffrey was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft following his final season at Rice which saw him post just under 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. McCaffrey has name recognition from NFL fans thanks to his relatives who have played or are playing in the league, but his Year 1 fantasy expectations should be tempered. Washington will be led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, and rookies historically fail to support multiple fantasy-relevant pass-catchers. McCaffrey should be on the waiver wire watchlist, but for now, he should not be in starting lineups.

4 days ago

Zach Ertz • TE • Commanders

Zach Ertz Listed As Starting Tight End

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz is listed as the team's starting tight end on the depth chart entering Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Behind Ertz, the Commanders have listed John Bates as the No. 2 and rookie Ben Sinnott as the No. 3. It confirms the idea that Sinnott is merely a dynasty/keeper stash in 2024. The 33-year-old Ertz is no longer the fantasy stud he was in his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he'll enter the regular season as Washington's top pass-catching tight end on a team that lacks experienced receiving depth for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Ertz miss most of last year with a quadriceps injury with the Arizona Cardinals, but he could be a sneaky TE2 rebound candidate if he stays healthy this year in Kliff Kingsbury's offense. At best, Ertz could be peppered with targets as a security blanket for Daniels.

4 days ago

Jayden Daniels • QB • Commanders

Jayden Daniels Primed For A Big Rookie Season

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is entering his rookie season with some big expectations both on the ground and through the air. The LSU sensation amassed 3,812 passing yards with 40 touchdowns and four interceptions while running for another 1,134 yards and 10 scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability is the biggest reason he's as high as he is on fantasy draft boards despite not having the best receiving corps. He does still have a quality receiver in Terry McLaurin, but Daniels is projected to put up some big rushing numbers which will help bolster his fantasy points per game. In half-PPR redraft leagues, Daniels ADP is outside the top 100 meaning he can provide some very good value to teams looking for late quarterbacks.

5 days ago

Zach Evans • RB • Commanders

Zach Evans Released From Practice Squad

Free agent running back Zach Evans was released from the Los Angeles Rams practice squad on Thursday afternoon, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. The 23-year-old finished the preseason on a high note by running for 45 yards and scoring two touchdowns but was unable to crack the final roster. Fantasy managers should now expect 25-year-old Ronnie Rivers to serve as the No.3 option behind Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum. Evans was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft but saw only nine carries in his rookie season. Dynasty managers should feel confident about cutting ties with the Ole Miss product as he hits the free-agent market.

Aug 29

Noah Brown • WR • Commanders

Commanders Sign Noah Brown After Texans Release

The Washington Commanders have signed former Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown. Brown, who previously worked with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn during their time with the Cowboys, was recently waived by the Texans as part of their roster cuts. At 28 years old, Brown is coming off two consecutive seasons with over 550 receiving yards, having played for the Cowboys in 2022 and the Texans in 2023. With the Commanders having traded Jahan Dotson to the Eagles last week, their current receiver lineup includes Terry McLaurin, Olamide Zaccheaus, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, Byron Pringle, and Jamison Crowder. Washington needs reliable contributors to support McLaurin and Zaccheaus, though rookie third-round pick McCaffrey might also see some action. Despite missing part of training camp due to a shoulder injury following offseason labrum surgery, it appears the Commanders expect Brown to be ready for Week 1 against Tampa Bay.

Aug 28

Chris Rodriguez Jr. • RB • Commanders

Commanders Release Chris Rodriguez Jr.

The Washington Commanders released running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. on Tuesday, according to source. Rodriguez didn't survive cutdown day after the Commanders added Austin Ekeler in free agency in the offseason. The 23-year-old former sixth-round selection last year out of Kentucky finds himself on the open market now after carrying the ball 51 times for 247 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games in his rookie season in 2023. He added only two receptions for 12 yards. In the end, Rodriguez lost out on the competition for the No. 3 role behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Ekeler to Jeremy McNichols. If the power back doesn't get picked up by another team in search for RB depth, it's possible that Rodriguez will stay in D.C. on the team's practice squad. Before suffering an ankle injury, Rodriguez had a nice little five-game stretch in which he averaged 37.2 yards per game.

Aug 27

Martavis Bryant • WR • Commanders

Commanders Release Martavis Bryant

The Washington Commanders released wide receiver Martavis Bryant on Tuesday despite the fact that he scored a touchdown in the preseason finale over the weekend. Bryant was with the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason as he attempts to get back into the NFL, but he now hits the open market again. The 32-year-old pass-catcher could land with another team before the start of the 2024 regular season, but it remains a long shot that he'll find a meaningful role this year. The former fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014 out of Clemson hasn't appeared in the NFL since 2018 with the Raiders, when he caught 19 passes for 266 yards and no touchdowns in eight games (two starts). There's also a chance that Bryant will stick around in Washington and join the team's practice squad to open the year.

Aug 27

Trace McSorley • QB • Commanders

Trace McSorley Shines In Preseason Finale

Washington Commanders quarterback Trace McSorley shined in the second half as he threw for 125 yards with a passing score and added 40 yards on the ground. The former Penn State product led the Commanders to all of their 20 points in the second half. McSorley tallied his passing score in the final minutes of the game on a four-yard pass to Martavis Bryant. Jeff Driskel got the starting nod as he is currently listed as the No.3 quarterback on the depth chart, but McSorley's performance does put him in the conversation to take over that role. McSorley appeared in six games in the 2022 season and got the start in a Week 16 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and threw for 217 yards. While his performance on Sunday evening may have earned him a spot on the final roster, he will only be fantasy-relevant if the quarterback room suffers numerous injuries.

Aug 26

Cade York • K • Commanders

Cade York Perfect In Preseason Finale

Washington Commanders kicker Cade York went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and 1-for-1 on extra-point attempts on Sunday evening. York joined the Commanders via a trade from the Cleveland Browns on Thursday in exchange for a seventh-round pick. The Commanders waived Riley Patterson, who had struggled this preseason, which left York as the only kicker on the roster for Sunday's game. The 23-year-old was perfect on Sunday evening and should be expected to serve as the primary kicker in Washington going forward. York was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft but only saw attempts in that season as he was waived before the 2023 season after struggling in his rookie campaign. While York will be left on the waiver wire in most leagues, he could be worth a look as a streaming option as the season progresses, especially if Jayden Daniels adjusts quickly to the professional level.

Aug 26

Washington Commanders News

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