Nothing has come easy for Byron Pringle.
On Friday, the Commanders, conducting their final practice before flying to Tampa, released the wide receiver, who came into the league undrafted in 2018.
The majority of those following the Commanders closely believed that Pringle had made the 53-man roster to provide a veteran receiver who would also return kickoffs.
Patriots allowed 6 plays of 20-plus yards and here was the first (Byron Pringle for 26):
🏈 Six-man rush creates disruption as Josh Uche breaks through
🏈 Mix-up with LB Mack Wilson Sr. and DB Myles Bryant closest in coverage
🏈 Off-script play takes advantage of D miscue pic.twitter.com/QafXzeJTRG
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 6, 2023
This raises the question of who the Commanders use on Sunday to return kickoffs. Would they promote Kazmeir Allen from the practice squad to handle the duty?
Or might they have Olamide Zaccheaus help return kickoffs? However, Zaccheaus, in his five seasons, has only returned three punts and two kickoffs. Jamison Crowder has again retained the job of punt returner.
The release of Pringle also raises the question of whether the coaching staff felt another receiver on the practice squad was looking better on the practice fields than Pringle and was consequently determined to make the move.
It could also be that the team has signed and brought in receiver Noah Brown, who makes Pringle expendable. This would allow the Commanders to bring up someone else from the practice squad at another position where they feel the need is more urgent.
Pringle, who played at Kansas State, signed with the Chiefs in May of 2018 and was waived in the preseason of both 2018 and 2019 before returning to play three seasons for the Chiefs (2019-21).
After being with the Bears in 2022, Pringle was a rather late signee to Washington in 2023. Since March 2023, Pringle had been a free agent, and no team had signed him. In late July, after the mini camps were completed, Washington suddenly signed Pringle, most likely an Eric Bieniemy choice from coaching Pringle in Kansas City.
Pringle caught 14 passes for 161 yards (11.5) in 2023 for the Commanders.