Tag: C Nick Gates

Commanders’ Rivera provides injury updates

In addressing Washington’s injuries after the bye week, Rivera hinted at a free-agent mistake without saying it.

It’s no secret the Commanders are 4-9 and hoping to get some people back in the lineup.

What may be a secret, however, is that the Commanders have actually been one of the healthiest teams in the entire league this season, and yet they have managed to lose nine of their last 11 games after opening the season 2-0.

Yet, there are some injuries, and head coach Ron Rivera was asked during his weekly Monday press conference when those players might return to action during the last four weeks of the season.

Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and defensive end James Smith-Williams: “Forbes had a good week of rehab. He’ll be evaluated through practice this week, as will James Smith Williams for the most part.”

Ricky Stromberg: “Stromberg, actually, you know, he had the surgery. He’s still going to be down for a while.”

Safety Darrick Forrest: “DeFo, he’s got to be re-evaluated by the doctors. We’ll go from there.”

Left guard Saahdiq Charles: “We’re gonna check in on him tomorrow and see where he is. Then we’ll go from there.”

Rivera was asked a follow-up regarding Stromberg, “Does it sound like then he’d probably be done for the year?” “It looks like it obviously because of the surgery, and it’s unfortunate. The young man showed he had the tools you are looking for. Big, stout, physical guy, very smart, intelligent football player. He showed that to us and, unfortunately, got hurt playing. That was a tough one because, between him and Tyler (Larsen), I felt we could have been very, very stout up front for the remainder of the year.”

Did you catch that? Rivera was planning on not using Nick Gates in the middle any longer? Was Rivera admitting by implication that the Nick Gates experiment did not go well? Was the signing determined to have been a mistake?

Rivera was then asked if Brian Robinson was going to be able to practice this week. “We’ll see him tomorrow, and he will be re-evaluated, and we’ll see. He should be ready to go for practice, I’m anticipating that. But we’ll see everybody again tomorrow.”

 

Changes are coming for Commanders as they face the Eagles

Changes are coming Sunday. Will it help?

Changes are coming for the Commanders this Sunday, but are some of them too late?

Cody Barton’s high ankle sprain has resulted in the linebacker being ruled out for Sunday. Khaleke Hudson and David Mayo picked up extra snaps last week vs. the New York Giants. Hudson also made some nice plays two weeks ago against the Falcons.

Word from Ashburn Friday was that LB Jabril Cox is going to be elevated from the practice squad by Sunday.

LG Saahdiq Charles reinjured his left calf, which was slowing him during preseason. He has been listed as “out” for Sunday. This most likely means the Commanders may make LG Chris Paul active for the first time this season.

Also, on offense, Tyler Larsen was snapping to Sam Howell in the early portion of practice on Thursday. If the Commanders start Larsen at center over Nick Gates, it could mean they intend to use Gates at guard if needed as well.

There has been no word on right tackle Andrew Wylie possibly being rested some snaps for Cornelius Lucas. Perhaps if they alternated the two, Wylie would perform better when not as fatigued?

DT Phidarian Mathis (calf) has returned this week to practice. The Commanders have not yet officially restated Mathis’ status. Also, WR Curtis Samuel has been nursing a sore knee this week. There has yet to be any indication that Samuel could miss Sunday.

Then one can’t help but wonder if there will be changes in the Eric Bieniemy offense. Last week, the offense could not adjust to the defensive slants and stunts of the NY Giants defense.

Some of the All-22 tape was quite revealing, seeing communication breakdowns among the offensive linemen. Sam Howell will need better protection Sunday vs. the Eagles and will need to pick up on his early reads and deliver the ball.

Bieniemy continued last week, calling for more dropbacks yet moving the pocket very little. There is little doubt the running backs and tight ends need to do a better job of helping the offensive linemen, providing Howell that extra second to deliver the ball.

It’s up to Bieniemy and the lineman to make the adjustments necessary, and it’s up to Howell, if given that extra second, to read, react and deliver the ball.