The Washington Commanders opened the 2023 NFL season with a 20-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Fortunately, Washington escaped Week 1 with no serious injuries.
But not everyone came out of Sunday 100%.
Head coach Ron Rivera released during his Monday press conference that rookie defensive Quan Martin was in the NFL’s concussion protocol. The second-round pick from Illinois played 18 snaps in his NFL debut — all on special teams.
Martin impressed throughout the summer but had struggled some in the preseason. The Commanders are having Martin learn multiple positions, and they went with a tighter defensive back rotation on Sunday. Kendall Fuller, Benjamin St-Juste, Darrick Forrest and Kamren Curl played every defensive snap, while fellow rookie Emmanuel Forbes [65%] and Percy Butler [53%] also played.
The Commanders are on the road in Week 2 as they face the Denver Broncos.