Tag: Armani Rogers

Commanders GM Martin Mayhew latest to praise TE Armani Rogers

Martin Mayhew is excited about rookie tight end Armani Rogers.

It’s been quite the summer for Washington Commanders tight end Armani Rogers. The former college quarterback was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2022 NFL draft and immediately impressed Washington’s coaches in the offseason program.

With starting tight end Logan Thomas still recovering from a torn ACL at the beginning of training camp, there was an opportunity for Rogers. When No. 2 tight end John Bates missed most of camp with a calf injury and rookie fifth-round pick Cole Turner went down with a hamstring injury, and suddenly Rogers was atop Washington’s preseason depth chart at tight end.

Rogers took advantage of his playing time, becoming a frequent target of starting quarterback Carson Wentz.

It was enough to earn Rogers a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster. Truth be told, the Commanders knew Rogers was making the roster before they played their first preseason game.

Earlier this week, Washington senior director of player personnel Eric Stokes discussed Rogers, saying he and Marty Hurney have been watching Rogers for three years, back when he was a quarterback at UNLV, resembling Cam Newton.

Commanders general manager Martin Mayhew is the latest to praise Rogers.

“To get value like that as an undrafted free agent for this guy to come in as a former quarterback that just move to tight end, and to play the way that he played during training camp was really impressive to see,” Mayhew said.

“I can’t say enough about this kid because we had some injuries in the tight end group. He had some injuries as well, but he was able to get out there every single day and go and compete every single day. So he’s got a lot of mental toughness too. I’m really excited about what the future holds for him.”

It appears Thomas and Bates are on track to play in Week 1. We will learn more about Thomas and Turner next week. But don’t be surprised if Washington has a plan for Rogers, even if the others are healthy.

 

Ron Rivera offers some good news regarding the tight end position

Ron Rivera expects John Bates will return to practice this week. That’s more good news for Washington’s tight ends.

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.

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.

 

 

Sammis Reyes says goodbye to Washington

Sammis Reyes says goodbye to Washington.

The Washington Commanders placed tight end Sammis Reyes on injured reserve last week. This week, the Commanders reached an injury settlement with Reyes and released him.

On Thursday, Reyes said goodbye to Washington on his Instagram account.

THANK YOU WASHINGTON COMMANDERS for the amazing opportunity to represent the organization. I will forever be grateful for the incredible support I received from my coaches, my teammates and the fan base here in the DMV. Thank you

Some fans may see Reyes as just another player who was cut ahead of the season. He wasn’t. Reyes was a unique case. Remember, Washington signed Reyes last spring after he worked out at the University of Florida pro day and was enrolled in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

Reyes had never taken a snap in football before he signed with Washington. While his first NFL season was filled with ups and downs, Reyes’ effort and physicality as a blocker stood out at times.

Unfortunately for him, he was still developing, and the Commanders didn’t have the room to continue to develop him. And after drafting Cole Turner in the fifth round and signing Armani Rogers as an undrafted free agent, Washington found two young players who can help in 2022 behind Logan Thomas and John Bates.

Reyes may or may not land in another NFL city. But considering his lack of football experience, he came a long way.

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Commanders move on from tight end Sammis Reyes

The Commanders placed Sammis Reyes on IR last week.

One year ago, the Washington Commanders were excited about tight end Sammis Reyes. Reyes, a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, was signed in the spring after he wowed NFL teams during a workout.

On Tuesday, the Commanders moved on from Reyes, releasing him from injured reserve. Washington initially placed Reyes on IR last week with what was believed to be a hamstring injury, but it was clear the Commanders liked some of their other young tight ends more than Reyes.

When Washington signed Reyes, the team knew he was a longshot. A former college basketball player, Reyes had never played football before signing up for the NFL program.

Despite his inexperience, Reyes was a physical presence when it came to run blocking. However, he wasn’t a natural receiver, and it showed. That’s not to say he wouldn’t have improved, but the Commanders have a trio of young tight ends they like better in John Bates [second season] and rookies Cole Turner and Armani Rogers.

As for Reyes’ future, he is free to sign with any team now and could re-sign with Washington later in the season if the team is interested in a reunion.

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Commanders activate tight end Logan Thomas from PUP list

Logan Thomas is back for the Commanders.

The Washington Commanders received some good news on Monday morning when starting tight end Logan Thomas was activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Thomas suffered a torn ACL in a December win over the Las Vegas Raiders on a questionable hit by defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. He began training camp on the PUP list.

Thomas’ return is a boost for multiple reasons. First, he’s Washington’s top tight end and terrific in the red zone. Secondly, Thomas can get in some practice time with quarterback Carson Wentz, and finally, the Commanders have a near crisis at tight end with numerous injuries.

John Bates has missed most of training camp with a calf injury, while rookie Cole Turner was sidelined over the past two weeks with a hamstring injury. Sammis Reyes was placed on injured reserve last week.

Undrafted rookies Armani Rogers and Curtis Hodges have recently received the bulk of work at tight end. The Commanders signed Eli Wolf last week, and he played 40 snaps in the preseason loss to the Chiefs.

In a flurry of moves after activating Thomas, Washington placed Wolf on IR, released fullback Alex Armah from IR, claimed tight end Kendall Blanton off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams and signed tight end Jake Hausmann.

The Commanders also placed defensive end Bunmi Rotimi on IR.

Hausmann went undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft and has spent time on the rosters of the New York Giants, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.

Every NFL team has until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to trim their rosters to 80 players.

Thomas had two stints on IR last season. In between those stints, he caught 18 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns in six games.

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Commanders injury updates following preseason week 2 vs. Chiefs

The Washington Commanders are a banged-up group right now.

The Washington Commanders entered Saturday’s preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs banged up. Washington had several players sit with minor injuries, such as tight ends John Bates and Cole Turner and offensive linemen Charles Leno, Andrew Norwell, Trai Turner and Wes Schweitzer.

Initially, many figured Leno, Washington’s starting left tackle, sat because there was no reason for him to play. However, after the game, head coach Ron Rivera said Leno didn’t travel with the team due to “a slight medical issue.”

Rivera didn’t get into specifics on Leno, but it doesn’t appear serious.

The Commanders only had two of their projected five starting offensive linemen on the field Saturday. One of them, center Chase Roullier, was back on the field for the first time since Week 8 last season due to a broken fibula.

For Roullier, there were no setbacks, and he is on track for Week 1 vs. Jacksonville.

“I think this game just built my confidence more and my ability to do that week one and barring any setbacks I think we are going to be good to go,” Roullier said after the game. 

During the game, cornerback Corn Elder, who is having a strong training camp, was injured in the end zone when he nearly came down with an interception. Nicki Jhavala of The Washington Post reported Elder was in concussion protocol.

Reserve defensive end Bunmi Rotimi, who flashed at times last season and is battling to make the roster, left the game with a leg injury. There were no updates on his status following the game.

Finally, undrafted rookie tight end Armani Rogers left the game with an undisclosed injury. It’s unknown the severity of his injury or if he’ll miss any time.

Rogers started the game with so many injuries at tight end and continues to stake his claim for a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Commanders are back on the field next Saturday for the preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens. We’ll keep you posted on Washington’s numerous injuries throughout the week.

Commanders announce inactives ahead of preseason game vs. Chiefs

The inactive list for the Commanders in their preseason game vs. Chiefs.

The Washington Commanders face the Kansas City Chiefs in game two of preseason action from Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, the Commanders released their list of players who will not participate. Some players on the list are battling injuries, such as tight ends John Bates and Cole Turner, while running back J.D. McKissic and offensive tackle Charles Leno don’t need to play.

Here is the complete list:

  • RB J.D. McKissic
  • TE Curtis Hodges
  • TE Cole Turner
  • T Rashod Hill
  • G Andrew Norwell
  • T Charles Leno Jr.
  • G Nolan Laufenberg
  • G Trai Turner
  • TE John Bates

Hodges is a surprising scratch. He was expected to split plenty of time with fellow rookie Armani Rogers. Norwell, Turner and Schweitzer, Washington’s top three guards, are all battling injuries.

The Commanders also announced some lineup changes for Saturday’s game:

  • Cornelius Lucas will start at left tackle
  • Aaron Monteiro will start at right guard
  • Saahdiq Charles will start at left guard
  • Armani Rogers will start at tight end
  • James Smith-Williams will start at defensive end

This game presents major opportunities for players like Charles, Monteiro and Rogers. Charles will likely make Washington’s roster, but it’s far from guaranteed. Monteiro is competing for a roster spot.

6 Commanders players to watch in preseason Week 2 vs. Chiefs

Six Commanders to watch in Saturday’s preseason Week 2 game vs. Chiefs.

The Washington Commanders are on the road for Week 2 of the preseason with a trip to Kansas City to play the high-flying Chiefs. Kansas City head coach Andy Reid said the Chiefs could play the entire first half, meaning the Commanders’ defense will get a good look at Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

Meanwhile, Washington coach Ron Rivera said he’d “ideally” like to play his starters for a half; however, injuries could make that impossible. The Commanders have injuries to their top four tight ends and top three guards. Most of the injuries aren’t serious and are of the soft-tissue variety, but the injuries have created a lot of shuffling for Washington recently.

For several young players, the injuries create opportunities. Here are six Commanders to watch vs. Kansas City on Saturday.

Commanders fall short to Panthers in preseason opener: Everything we know

News, notes and analysis from Washington’s 23-21 preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The Washington Commanders made a game of it in the fourth quarter, even taking a 21-20 lead late. Still, the Carolina Panthers connected on a 45-yard field goal with 24 seconds remaining to win the preseason opener.

Washington quarterback Carson Wentz played into the second quarter in his first game for the Commanders. Wentz completed 10 of 13 passes for 74 yards. Wentz mainly targeted undrafted rookie tight end Armani Rogers but did have one excellent completion to wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Taylor Heinicke played the remainder of the second quarter before giving way to rookie Sam Howell in the second half. Howell gave the Commanders a spark, but it wasn’t enough in the end.

Now, here’s everything we know from Washington’s preseason loss to the Panthers.

Lions 2022 NFL draft: A tight end for every round

The latest in the “prospect for each round of the 2022 NFL draft” series focuses on tight ends, a definite need for the Detroit Lions

It doesn’t get brought up very often in the list of Detroit Lions needs this offseason, but tight end definitely merits inclusion. The Lions bring back Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson, who should be healthy and ready to roll once again. Free agent signee Garrett Griffin can handle the veteran blocking TE role, at least that’s the expectation. Griffin is on a one-year, veteran-minimum contract so that certainly doesn’t mean anything for the long-term team building.

The rest of the depth chart consists of undrafted rookies from a year ago (Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra) and some castoffs (Matt Sokol, Jared Pinkney) who have collectively never caught a single NFL pass. While the Lions subsisted a year ago by using an extra offensive tackle (primarily Will Holden, still unsigned) as a blocking tight end, it would be nice to get some youthful potential with experience at the position into the Lions pipeline. Hockenson is the only tight end under contractual control after 2022.

As with the rest of this series of identifying potential prospects of interest in each round of the draft, the purpose here isn’t to advocate for any one player. It’s to show the different options that could be available for Lions GM Brad Holmes and his staff to consider, and what caliber of player and positional depth looks like in this class.

Lions 2022 NFL draft: A quarterback for every round

Lions 2022 NFL draft: A safety for every round

Lions 2022 NFL draft: A wide receiver for every round

Tight end is a little tougher. There isn’t a prospect worthy of consideration with any of the Lions’ first three picks (2, 32, 34). To keep the same format, consider the second-rounder listed here as the Lions’ pick at the top of the third. It seems very unlikely any tight ends are drafted by any team in the first 50 or so picks this year.