In a surprising move that caught many off guard, Washington traded wide receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Commanders are now grappling with Dotson's departure, which has left a notable void in their receiving corps. Dyami Brown expressed his shock at the trade, stating, "I was speechless. That was a weird one ... didn’t really expect that one. For him to go, I wish him the best of luck. We've been here, and we built that brotherly bond. It's always love. I wish the best for him."
Dotson's trade comes after an up-and-down training camp, and the Commanders are set to hold a game preparation-focused practice on Friday as they gear up for their preseason finale against the New England Patriots. Despite the internal shakeups, Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury maintains an optimistic outlook on the remaining wide receiver group. "Very confident. They've made a bunch of plays so far in camp. [I've] been impressed, like I said, with how they've gotten better since the spring and continue to improve and [be a] very hard-working, competitive room," Kingsbury remarked.
In the midst of these roster changes, quarterback Daniels has shown consistency in connecting with his targets in the red zone. This week, he found rookie Luke McCaffrey for a touchdown on the first play of red-zone situations. Daniels further demonstrated his precision by connecting with Zach Ertz for a roughly 40-yard touchdown. In an earlier red zone drill, he linked up with Terry McLaurin for two touchdowns in a four-play span. However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing; Daniels experienced a few setbacks, including a throw behind Ertz broken up by Jeremy Reaves and a fumbled snap later in practice.
Defensive plays have been just as eventful, with linebacker Frankie Luvu standing out thanks to a pair of interceptions. Jeremy Reaves continues to be a force, adding two pass breakups to his tally. Tyler Owens and Phidarian Mathis also received commendations for their defensive contributions. Mathis, in particular, earned praise for his pass rush, which played a part in a successful long touchdown play from Daniels to Ertz.
As the Commanders prepare for the upcoming season, injuries remain a concern. Marcus Mariota and Sam Hartman are currently sidelined, while defensive linemen Brandon Coleman and Johnny Newton are still out. Nonetheless, Coleman did partake in some individual work, signaling a potential return in the near future.
Off-the-field moves have also been significant, particularly in the special teams unit. The Commanders acquired kicker Cade York from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick after releasing Riley Patterson, who had missed two field goals against the Miami Dolphins. Interestingly, Cade York was notably absent from practice, raising questions about the kicker position as the preseason winds down.
Kingsbury's belief in his squad remains unwavering, emphasizing the "No. 1 back" in the team's roster and underscoring the resilience and progress the group has made since the spring. "He's going to be a very good player at it. I mean he has some traits that I'm excited for this young man moving forward in his future," added Joe Whitt Jr., signaling strong anticipation for the contributions of younger players.
The Commanders are forging ahead, refining their strategies and evaluating player performances, all while navigating the challenges posed by injuries and roster changes. Despite the turbulence, the team's focus is unyielding as they set their sights on the regular season, eager to demonstrate their development and resilience on the field.