Tag: 2024 nfl season

Commanders announce roster moves with injuries at offensive tackle

The Commanders add veteran OT depth.

The Washington Commanders were busy making moves on their day. With injuries to their top two left tackles, Brandon Coleman (concussion) and Cornelius Lucas (ankle), the Commanders have only two healthy tackles on the roster: Right tackle Andrew Wylie and backup Trent Scott.

The Commanders first worked out former Patriots tackle Yodny Cajuste. Washington didn’t initially sign Cajuste but did sign veteran Bobby Hart to the practice squad. Hart, 30, was a seventh-round pick by the New York Giants in 2015 and has spent time with six different NFL teams, including three stints in Buffalo.

Hart has plenty of experience, having played in 98 career games with 67 starts. He was Cincinnati’s right tackle for three seasons from 2018-20, starting every game but three.

Washington released OT Anim Dankwah from the practice squad in a corresponding move. The 6-foot-8, 353-pound Dankwah signed with the practice squad last month. He’s an undrafted rookie from nearby Howard University.

Coleman missed last week’s game, while Lucas left in the second half with an ankle injury. The Commanders have offered no further updates, but practice is set to return on Wednesday; we should know more then.

Former Commanders first-round pick finds a new home

Jamin Davis has a new home.

The Washington Commanders released 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis last week after 3.5 seasons with the team. Formerly a linebacker, the Commanders transitioned Davis to defensive end under the new coaching staff in the offseason. While there had been some progress, the Commanders chose to move on from Davis in search of more experienced help.

Now, Davis has a new home. According to multiple NFL sources, the Green Bay Packers signed the 25-year-old Davis to the practice squad.

In the previous three seasons, Davis appeared in 45 games with 36 starts, recording 269 tackles, including 20 for loss, seven sacks and one interception.

After moving to defensive end this season, Davis played in five games for Washington and finished with 13 tackles. He participated in 30% of the team’s defensive snaps through five weeks.

New coach Dan Quinn added Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu in the offseason to upgrade the Commanders’ linebacker position, which had struggled for years.

What did Commanders coach Dan Quinn say about Terry McLaurin?

Dan Quinn a big fan of Terry McLaurin, the player and the person.

Dan Quinn likes what he is seeing from Terry McLaurin

The 29-year-old wide receiver leads the Washington Commanders with 40 receptions after a slow start to this 2024 season.

“Yeah, early on, it jumped out to me as professionalism,” said Quinn. “He was so squared away and so on his own details. What’s been really cool for me to see is this relationship with him and the entire team build and take place and leading.”

Last week against the Panthers, McLaurin took it upon himself to provide the team some extra leadership, with Jordan Daniels going out of the game with a rib injury during the first offensive possession.

“Like I was referring to yesterday of him up and down the different position groups, to the offensive line, to the quarterbacks last week discussing what he was seeing with [QB] Marcus [Mariota.] And so, I’d say that is probably one of the coolest things to see, is that development of the leader because the professional, it’s there and he’s got very high standards about how he does things. But now to see the extra gear taking place of bringing out in others, that’s the big deal to me.”

Quinn himself continues to learn about leadership, and leadership of a team in particular. Yesterday, he spoke of learning that leadership is not only about his leadership but also about how he influences other players to take on more leadership.

“Like I said, you may have heard me say early on, I thought leadership was about me and then I found out really, it’s about how I can bring out the leadership in others. And so, man, have I seen that in Terry, seen that leadership develop in its own way and it has to be authentic to that person. So, he has been a lot a bit fired up and I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the leading aspect as well.”

Terry McLaurin, Jayden Daniels appreciative of Commanders’ fans

After the win, Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels share their appreciation of Commanders’ fans.

Terry McLaurin has been in Washington since 2019. While that’s only six seasons, it feels like a lot more. McLaurin has seen it all: multiple owners, multiple coaches, name changes, a lot of quarterbacks, and even more losing.

Finally, things are heading in the right direction, and McLaurin couldn’t be happier.

While there are many reasons for the Commanders’ turnaround, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels stands out above them all. On Sunday, Daniels led the Commanders to an 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears. It wasn’t just any win. Daniels’ Hail Mary into the waiting hands of wide receiver Noah Brown pushed Washington to 6-2 on the season.

McLaurin was excellent again, finishing with five receptions for 125 yards.

After the game, McLaurin was leaving the field and wanted to take a second to show his appreciation for Washington fans.

Through the good and bad, Washington fans have always chanted McLaurin’s name. And he’s always made time for them.

While McLaurin shared his love for the fans, Daniels joined Scott Van Pelt on ESPN’s Sportscenter and showed his appreciation for the fans, too.

They love you too, Jayden.

Bill Belichick breaks down Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams

Bill Belichick breaks down Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels.

Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels will forever be linked. Both are former Heisman Trophy winners and were the top two picks in the 2024 NFL draft, with Williams going first to the Chicago Bears and Daniels second to the Washington Commanders.

Both rookies are exceeding the already high expectations for them seven weeks into their respective NFL careers. Daniels has the Commanders at 5-2 and atop the NFC. He’s set multiple NFL and team records already. Meanwhile, Williams has the Bears at 4-2 and continues to improve each week.

On Sunday, Daniels and Washington host Williams and Chicago. The NFL wanted to flex the game into prime time but had to settle for the late afternoon kickoff on CBS.

Ahead of Sunday’s showdown, arguably the greatest coach of all-time, Bill Belichick, broke down the rookie passers on “Inside the NFL” with a particular emphasis on how Washington can defend Williams.

Here’s Belichick on Daniels and Williams:

 

A good breakdown by Belichick that had Chicago fans in shambles, thinking that the legendary coach was somehow praising Daniels while criticizing Williams. That’s not what he was doing.

Regardless of who wins on Sunday, this rivalry could be the next great quarterback rivalry over the next 10-12 years. If their respective careers go like we think they will, Williams and Daniels will see a lot of one another.

When they last met: Commanders vs. Bears

This was the beginning of the end of the 2023 season for the Commanders.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Chicago 40, Washington 20 – Week 5, October 5, 2024

The Bears came into FedEx Field winless (0-4) to face the 2-2 Commanders. But when the game concluded, Washington was the loser.

Entering the game as a touchdown favorite, Washington, frankly, played like the game was going to be given to them. The Bears were the intense team. The Bears played with urgency and absolutely dominated the Commanders from the start.

The Bears totaled 199 yards in the first quarter, while the Commanders generated only 12 yards. The second quarter was even worse. The Bears ended the half with a 27-3 lead, 14 to 5 first downs, 307 yards to 84, 122 rushing yards to 13, and they averaged 6.8 yards each rushing attempt to 1.9 by the Commanders.

In the second half, Washington finally showed up, battling back to narrow the lead to 30-20, but the Bears recovered, scoring the game’s final ten points for the final 40-20 margin.

The Commanders’ defense permitted Bears quarterback Justin Fields to pass for 282 yards with four passing touchdowns and no interceptions. Khalil Herbert rushed for 76 yards, averaging 7.6 a carry, while DJ Moore looked like Jerry Rice against the Washington secondary, catching eight passes for a startling 230 yards, including three touchdowns.

Sam Howell finished 37 of 51 for 388 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. But he was sacked five times, and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy entirely abandoned the run, only getting Brian Robinson six carries for 10 yards.

The game marked the unofficial end of the Ron Rivera era (2020-23). The loss was so embarrassing and so revealing of Rivera’s not having the team ready to play that his tenure was sealed as finished. Sure enough, new owner Josh Harris saved Rivera the embarrassment of being fired in mid-season, firing him upon the season’s conclusion after a woeful 4-13 season.

Commanders vs. Bears injury report: Latest updates, news for Friday

Only one ruled out for the Commanders in Week 8 vs. Bears.

The Washington Commanders (5-2) and Chicago Bears (4-2) released their final injury reports on Friday ahead of Sunday’s matchup between the two emerging NFC contenders.

For the Commanders, all eyes were on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. He did practice on a limited basis Friday, but head coach Dan Quinn said they pushed Daniels to see how he would respond.

“We really wanted to push it today,” Quinn said. “And so that’s why I think it’s important because you have to push it in all the, not just the quarterback specific things, but also within the game plan. So, we really pushed it today. And so that’s what really the next day and a half will be about. See how he responds because you have to, you have to do that.”

Daniels himself said he wanted to play, but it’s not up to him.

In other injury news, rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman missed his third straight practice with a concussion and is out for Sunday.

Here’s Washington’s final injury report:

Out: LT Brandon Coleman (concussion)

Questionable: QB Jayden Daniels (rib), DE Dorance Armstrong (rib)

The Bears will be without two starters in their secondary.

Out: S Jaquan Brisker (concussion), DB Kyler Murray (hamstring)

Questionable: OL Larry Borom (ankle), RB Travis Homer (finger), DL Jacob Martin (toe)

Commanders DC Joe Whitt wants to rotate more on defense

Whitt wants to rotate more defensively so the Commanders are fresh late in games.

Long before the preseason began, Joe Whitt Jr. told the fan base and media that the Commanders’ defense would not consist of merely 11 starters.

As early as June, Whitt was getting after it and did not want to talk starters on defense.

“We don’t have 11 starters; we have 17-18 guys,” he said. “We are going to go out there; we are gonna roll a deep crew and go out there and whoop people,” Whitt said. “We don’t have 11 guys; we have many personnel groups and now can they own those positions when we put them out there. When that comes, don’t ask me about who’s starting, please.”

Thursday, Whitt reminded those listening he had said this would be the case. “Well, day one, remember we talked about rolling with a deep crew and we want to be fresh in the fourth quarter. And the only way that you’re going to be fresh in the fourth quarter is if you play people and give people a break so they can go.”

Whitt explained Thursday that this applies up front and in the secondary as well. He wants his defense fresh in the final quarter of tough, hard-fought games and more depth for later in the season.

“It’s a long season; we want to roll with a deep crew. We want to make sure that we’re fresh not only in the fourth quarter but towards the end of the season when everything matters. That we still have a fresh football team that can run and hit to the way that we want to run and hit to.”

Whitt was clear, this is for his secondary as well.

“Yeah, we were mixing guys in the backfield, and that’s a little bit different because I want to see people in different spaces.”

He likes the effort he has seen from secondary starters and also added that he wants to see more of Emmanuel Forbes, Michael Davis, and Percy Butler (whom he clarified has been playing well and that Whitt sees Butler as a starter).

GM Adam Peters brought in over 30 new faces to this Commanders’ roster. Joe Whitt knows it is a lot better than it was. So now, he wants to get more of his guys game reps and develop them more now so they can be a building block for later in the season.

 

Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams? Former Washington coach makes his pick

“I don’t see any flaws in his game.”

Say what you want about Jay Gruden, but the former Washington head coach knows football—specifically offensive football. Gruden, a former college quarterback and Arena League MVP, was known for his work developing quarterbacks after getting into coaching.

These days, Gruden is an NFL analyst for Underdog Sports and co-hosts the “Clean Pocket” podcast with former NFL players Colt McCoy, AQ Shipley, and Justin Pugh.

Gruden also joins local Washington D.C. radio stations weekly to discuss the NFL and, specifically, his former team. He’s a huge fan of Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Every week, Gruden praises his former team, especially the rookie quarterback.

In the latest episode of his podcast, they discuss this week’s matchup between the Chicago Bears and Washington. The game, of course, features the top two players selected in the 2024 NFL draft: Caleb Williams and Daniels.

This led McCoy to ask his co-hosts: Daniels or Williams?

Gruden chose Daniels.

“Jayden has been tremendous to me,” Gruden said. “In all phases, in the pocket, outside the pocket, the zone reads, the QB-designed runs, he’s been awesome. Caleb has more arm talent; he can sling it a little further. Jayden, on the other hand, I just feel like I like his poise, his leadership just a little bit better. There’s a lot of things going on that they’re asking Jayden to do right now that he has performed at a very high level. You don’t see any mistakes.”

Gruden made it clear you can’t go wrong with either player, but his pick of Daniels aligns with everything he says each week when discussing the Commanders’ young signal-caller.

More from Gruden on Daniels:

“I don’t see any flaws in his game, I really don’t,” Gruden said. “He sees well. He’s accurate, he anticipates throws, he can run, and he avoids pressure; their offense is damn near unstoppable.”

Now, the biggest question is whether we will see Daniels play this week. He injured his ribs in Sunday’s win over Carolina and did not return. As of now, the Commanders are listing him “week to week,” and he missed Wednesday’s practice.

Texans schedule: Who is Houston playing in Week 8? 

Are the Houston Texans playing this week? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come. 

Heading home with a chance to regroup, the Houston Texans will look to keep their undefeated streak at NRG Stadium alive entering October.

Who is next on the schedule following a 24-22 loss against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field? Let’s discuss below.

Who will the Texans play in Week 8 of the NFL schedule?

Houston takes on the Indianapolis Colts in a rematch of Week 1’s battle at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Texans secured a 29-27 victory over their AFC South rival thanks to a 159-yard outing from running back Joe Mixon.

The Texans lost 31-20 last season in Week 2 at home after Anthony Richardson set the tone with a two-touchdown performance in the first quarter. C.J. Stroud eventually found a rhythm and completed two touchdown passes, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

Indianapolis has actually thrived playing at NRG Stadium over the past decade, holding a 7-2-1 record in the past 10 games.

Texans 2024 schedule

  • Sept. 8: at Indianpolis (W, 29-27)
  • Sept. 15: vs. Chicago (W, 19-13)
  • Sept. 22: at Minnesota (L, 34-7)
  • Sept. 29: vs. Jacksonville (W, 24-20)
  • Oct. 6: vs. Buffalo (W, 23-20)
  • Oct. 13: at New England (W, 41-21)
  • Oct. 20: at Green Bay (L, 24-22)
  • Oct. 27: vs. Indianpolis
  • Oct. 31: at New York Jets
  • Nov. 10: vs. Detriot
  • Nov. 18: at Dallas
  • Nov. 24: vs. Tennessee
  • Dec. 1: at Jacksonville
  • Dec. 8: Bye Week
  • Dec. 15: vs. Miami
  • Dec. 21: at Kansas City
  • Dec. 25: vs. Baltimore
  • Jan. 6: at Tennessee
  • Record: 5-2