Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is known for using defensive players in multiple roles, and former Washington Huskies safety Dominique Hampton appears to be his next utility player.
On August 15, reporters at practice noticed Hampton doing some work with the linebackers group. Quinn is known to scheme using a safety that lines up in the box, which for Hampton, could be a rotational situation with five-year veteran Jeremy Chinn.
The Commanders head coach was also known to use safeties in the linebacker position during his time with the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive coordinator, deploying Markquese Bell and Juanyeh Thomas at the position.
This move could help Hampton secure his spot on the Commander’s 53-man roster. The safety room is rather deep and he has been in a tight battle with undrafted free agent Tyler Owens from Texas Tech.
Another thing that has fallen in Hampton’s favor is that Quinn’s linebacker corps sustained two injuries. Jordan Magee suffered a knee injury in the team’s preseason game against the New York Jets, and Bo Bauer needed to be carted off the field during practice.
If Hampton can properly utilize his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame and ability to deliver huge hits at both positions, that could give him the edge he needs to make the Commanders on the August 27 deadline.
Something I'm watching in practice is which players get extended reps at a different position.
Safety Dominique Hampton will play in the box at times but he's also getting LB work in right now in front of me.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 15, 2024