Tag: Andre Jones

Commanders make roster moves ahead of Week 4

Commanders make some moves ahead of Week 4.

The Washington Commanders made a pair of roster moves on Saturday ahead of their Week 4 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

Washington elevated defensive end Andre Jones Jr. and running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. from the practice squad. The moves reflect running back Austin Ekeler and defensive end Clelin Ferrell’s absences for Sunday’s game.

This is the second time the Commanders have elevated Jones. He played nine snaps in last week’s win over Cincinnati, registering one tackle. As a rookie last season, Jones appeared in 14 games.

Rodriguez, like Jones, was one of Washington’s 2023 draft picks. This will be Rodriguez’s first action of the season, as he will backup Brian Robinson Jr. and Jeremy McNichols.

Rodriguez played in 13 games as a rookie, carrying the football 51 times for 247 yards and two touchdowns.

The Commanders enter Sunday’s game on a two-game winning streak after shocking the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Takeaways from Commanders/Ravens joint practice

Some news, notes and observations from the Commanders’ joint practices with the Ravens.

The Washington Commanders finished their joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens Wednesday after another solid day of work.

On Tuesday, Washington’s offense, led by quarterback Sam Howell, had an overall good day against a talented Ravens defense. Meanwhile, on defense, the Commanders were solid. The defensive line dominated at times, while the secondary had some good and bad moments.

The biggest takeaway from Tuesday’s practice was all the fighting. Emmanuel Forbes got into a scuffle with a Baltimore wide receiver, and others joined. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews bodyslammed Washington cornerback Danny Johnson for no apparent reason, and Commanders center Nick Gates was also involved in another battle.

Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and the teams accomplished what they set out to do.

How was the final day of joint practices between the two Beltway rivals?

Here are some takeaways from the final day of practice between the Ravens and Commanders.

5 players on the roster bubble who helped themselves vs. Browns

Which players helped themselves the most in the preseason opener?

As every team enters training camp, they have a good idea of who will make the roster. While it varies from team to team, most teams know of at least 50 roster positions for the 53-man roster ahead of camp.

The Washington Commanders entered training camp with one of their strongest rosters in years. Washington’s biggest question is if Sam Howell is a legitimate NFL starting quarterback. If he is, the Commanders are a playoff team, and the rest of the roster will benefit from Howell being the guy.

When the Commanders started camp, some positions were still up for grabs, such as the last cornerback, the final two receivers, and which players will round out the reserve offensive line.

Washington defeated the Browns in the preseason opener last Friday. It was a good night for several young players on the roster. Which players helped themselves for one of those final roster spots?

We look at five bubble players who helped themselves in the preseason opener.

WATCH: College highlights of Commanders rookie EDGE Andre Jones Jr.

Andre Jones Jr. was one of two Edge rushers the Commanders selected in the 2023 NFL draft.

When the Washington Commanders selected Louisiana Edge rusher Andre Jones Jr. in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft, many had never heard of him.

That’s not Jones’ fault or a representation of who he was as a player. It’s just the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns didn’t have a national television presence. Louisiana was a highly successful program during Jones’ career there. Still, Washington’s fifth-round rookie, Edge K.J. Henry, was much more known than Jones because he played at national powerhouse Clemson.

Washington is excited about Henry, and rightfully so, but they also like Jones’ potential.

At 6-foot-4 1/2, 248 pounds, Jones is built similarly to Henry. And with Washington’s top five defensive ends slated for free agency in 2024, Henry and Jones have a shot to impress as rookies.

Here’s Lance Zierlein of NFL.com’s scouting report on Jones ahead of the draft:

Long-limbed edge defender with an angular frame and a willingness to take on all comers. Jones’ production might not jump off the page, but he’s athletic and uses his length to put himself in position to make tackles. Jones could use more strength in his lower half both as a run defender and pass rusher. While they aren’t sustained, there are flashes of rush potential that might create a roster opportunity after a year on a practice squad.

Jones is exactly the type of prospect you target on Day 3 of the draft. He has the size, athleticism and work ethic to develop into a valuable contributor in the NFL. 

Now, let’s check out some of his college highlights.

Commanders sign 3 members of their 2023 rookie class

K.J. Henry among the rookies to sign Friday.

The Washington Commanders opened their two-day rookie minicamp Friday in Ashburn, providing the perfect time to sign some of their seven draft picks.

Therefore, Washington got to work signing three members of the 2023 NFL draft class. The Commanders signed the following three players Friday:

  • DE K.J. Henry, Clemson, fifth-round pick
  • RB Chris Rodgriguez Jr., Kentucky, sixth-round pick
  • EDGE Andre Jones, Louisiana, seventh-round pick

The Commanders moved up in the fifth round to select Henry, and he could figure into Washington’s two-deep as a rookie behind Chase Young and Montez Sweat.

Rodriguez had an outstanding collegiate career for Kentucky in the SEC. Former Washington GM Scot McCloughan said he had Rodriguez graded as a second-round selection.

Jones is another pick for the future, with the Commanders’ top five defensive ends on expiring contracts after 2023.

 

Twitter reaction to Commanders final selection Andre Jones

Social media reacts to Commanders selecting Louisiana EDGE Andre Jones.

Washington grabbed Louisiana edge defender Andre Jones Jr with their final pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

I couldn’t help but notice Jones’ build, his weight, and what he could add, and then thought of how the NFL this week suspended Commanders DE/special team athlete Shaka Toney for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.

Toney was a 7th-round draft choice as well.

Incidentally, Jones was the only Louisiana player selected in this draft.

Here is some of the Twitter reaction to the Commanders choosing Jones.

 

Commanders select Louisiana LB Andre Jones Jr. in 2023 NFL draft

The Commanders add another EDGE defender late in the NFL draft.

The Washington Commanders wrapped up their 2023 NFL draft class by selecting Louisiana linebacker Andre Jones Jr. at No. 233 overall.

Jones is a 6-foot-4, 248-pound Edge defender who played six seasons at Louisiana, starting his final four. Over the final two seasons of his college career, Jones recorded 111 tackles, including 18 for loss and 11.5 sacks.

While Jones’ numbers don’t jump off the page, he’s been a productive player throughout his college career, and at this point in the draft, he possesses the traits coaches look to develop. He’s tall and long and could be in a training camp battle to earn a roster spot for the Commanders.

Washington’s depth chart looks difficult at the moment with Chase Young, Montez Sweat, James Smith-Williams, Efe Obada, Casey Toohill and fellow rookie K.J. Henry in front of him, but Jones could be a candidate for the practice squad in 2023. Remember, Young, Sweat, Obada, Smith-Williams and Toohill are all free agents in 2024.