The Commanders were ahead 34-6 early in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns and began substituting several players.
Several on both the offense and the defense were given some opportunities, which, of course, provided rest for those usually starting. But did you notice the corners? These guys continued to play with very little substitution for them.
Even though it was a blowout (final 34-13), starting corners Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil, and Noah Igbinoghene played 94%, 90%, and 87%, respectively.
Benjamin St. Juste showing great mechanics to make this pass incomplete
Keeps his hips low, then fires upfield after planting his foot, and arrives to the hands of the WR at the same time the ball does.
Bravo BSJ, you earned the celebration 🫡#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/0jaVFHSejq
— The Podfather (@TheBurgundyZone) October 8, 2024
During his press conference, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr was asked about the corners Thursday.
Regarding Sainristil:
“Mikey, we’ve moved him inside and out,” Whitt said. “The last two games, he’s played outside, and we put him to the field the last two games, and he’s getting more comfortable there. He can play with vision; he played a lot more physical. He’s covering well. So, right now, that’s where we need him to be. So, he’s going to find a home back inside at some point. But from where the defense is right now, we need him to the field.”
Whitt expressed how Igbinoghene has grown from last season in Dallas”
“We got him late last year when we were in Dallas and with the trade when we traded [Kansas City Chiefs CB Kelvin Joseph] for him, and we had a number of guys that were just ahead of him. And with him coming in there late, he came in here at the same time with everybody else and he was able to put his performance out there. And he’s earned the right to go out there and get the reps in the starting position that he’s getting.”
When asked about 2023 first-round choice, Emmanuel Forbes. Whitt was succinct and direct:
“That’s the same as the Mikey question. Playing to the field. Each week, we’re going to play the guys in a position that we feel best, that gives us a chance to win that particular game.”
For interested readers regarding the cornerbacks, Forbes and Michael Davis each received four defensive snaps. Kevon Seymour was active for his first game this season. He didn’t play any defensive snaps, but he did play seven special teams snaps.