It’s been a difficult summer for the Washington Commanders’ tight ends. The Commanders have been shorthanded at tight end throughout training camp, but the injuries also opened the door for some younger, unknown players.
When training camp began, starter Logan Thomas was rehabbing from a torn ACL and began training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Top backup John Bates missed most of training camp with a calf injury, returning briefly before going back out again. And rookie fifth-round pick Cole Turner was the talk of camp in their absence until he suffered a hamstring injury, missing all of Washington’s preseason games.
That opened the door for a pair of undrafted rookies in Armani Rogers and Curtis Hodges. Unfortunately for Hodges, he also missed time with an injury.
After Washington’s preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday, head coach Ron Rivera offered some good news regarding Washington’s tight ends.
Ron Rivera said on the postgame radio show he expects tight end John Bates to return to practice this week.
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) August 28, 2022
This would be excellent news for the Commanders. Thomas was activated from the PUP list last week, and for the first time, Washington could have both of its top two tight ends on the practice field together. In addition, Turner should be close to a return after it was initially expected to be a two-week injury.
As of now, expect Washington to keep four tight ends. Thomas, Bates and Turner are locks. Rogers is essentially a lock. The former college quarterback has terrific size and athleticism and looks like a natural at the position. That would give the Commanders a strong and diverse group.
It’s been a tough summer for Washington’s tight ends, but brighter days are ahead as the Commanders begin the regular season.