Tag: Chase Roullier injured

What are the Commanders deciding regarding C Chase Roullier?

The Commanders have a big decision to make regarding Roullier, and likely soon.

What are the Commanders going to decide regarding center Chase Roullier?

Roullier was arguably the most dependable, reliable offensive lineman for Washington. In fact, Roullier played 100% of Washington’s offensive snaps in the 2018 and 2020 seasons. In addition, in the 2019 season, he played all 100 percent of the offensive snaps in his 14 games as well.

How did the Washington management respond? They quickly re-signed Roullier. Roullier and Washington agreed to a 4-year contract extension worth $40.5 million on Jan. 2, 2021. Roullier received a full guarantee of $13.67 million, including a $9 million signing bonus (Over the Cap).

Roullier continued to be durable, effective and reliable in the 2021 season. Then it happened. In the Week 8 loss at Denver, Roullier suffered a fractured fibula and was lost for the remainder of the season.

Working his way back to the starting lineup in time for the 2022 season, Roullier unbelievably injured his knee badly on the very last offensive snap in the Week 2 loss at Detroit. Just one more play, and he would have escaped injury that day.

As a result, Roullier missed the last 14 Commanders games, and management in free agency quickly signed former New York Giant Nick Gates to a three-year deal and also re-signed veteran center Tyler Larsen.

Roullier is scheduled to count $12,420,000 against the 2023 Commanders’ salary cap. Are the Commanders waiting to see how the knee of Roullier has recovered at their OTA or Training Camp?

Might they simply be waiting to cut him after June 1? You see, if they cut him before June 1, Roullier would be an $8,100,000 cap hit and a $4,320,000 cap savings. On the other hand, if they cut Roullier after June 1, he would be a $4,050,000 cap hit and an $8,370,000 cap savings.

Might they be waiting to see if they can draft a center in the 2023 NFL Draft? Whatever they determine, fans should be reminded that Nick Gates was not overly impressive last year. That is, he might not necessarily be an improvement over Roullier. On the other hand, Gates was coming off of multiple surgeries, and perhaps Washington is confident Gates will be much stronger this year than he was last year.

Roullier was so dependable; it is so unfortunate the bad injuries he has encountered the last two seasons. The DMV would love to see Roullier return to health and be effective again. However, if the Commanders are going to keep Roullier around, the best bet would be they are going to seek to reach a new agreement with Roullier on compensation.

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Commanders coach Travelle Wharton talks offensive line

The assistant offensive line coach sees progress despite the rocky start to the season.

Travelle Wharton is a name most Commanders fans will not recognize, but the assistant offensive line coach is in his fifth season in NFL coaching.

Wharton played at South Carolina, grabbing the attention of enough scouts that he was drafted in the third round (94th) of the 2004 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. Wharton who played in the NFL for nine seasons (2004-2013), met with the media Friday.

The team has suffered so many offensive line injuries early in the season.
A huge loss was losing center Chase Roullier and Wharton addressed this.
“Chase is not just a good player, but just a leader on our line and in the locker room. So losing him was a big hit for us. His confidence and getting us in protections and things like that. You can hear it with other players when he talks, everybody listens. Guys have been really stepping up, so it just shows everyone, Hey, be ready.”

After losing two centers, Nick Martin was signed and had to start immediately.

“I thought Nick stepped in last week and has done really well for just coming in and picking up what we were doing. For everybody else on the line, it’s really staying fine-tuned and understanding those calls cause we rehearse it so much during the course of the week and meetings and stuff like that, or what you’ll call here on different looks.”

The offensive line has at times gotten beaten badly. But Wharton sees progress.

“We are consistently getting better every time we step out there. We gotta continue to work; that’s the big thing. You lose a couple guys here and there, and the next guys step up, but we gotta continue to go. That’s what you have to do as offensive line, play hard together.”

Saahdiq Charles replaced Trai Turner at right guard and made some plays last week.

“He’s been in a few times, a few snaps. He’s getting the opportunity to play, and that’s the biggest thing when you get an opportunity to play in NFL games; you have to take advantage of it. I think mentally he’s prepared.”

“He’s always been explosive, from year one to year two is a big jump, man. He’s really grown overall as a football player mentally and physically of what he needs to do. He played multiple positions. He’s one of those guys that can play multiple and you have to be a pretty smart player to do all that and have the athletic skill set to do it also.”

“Andrew Norwell came in and has been physical. Let me start by saying that, he’s a great teammate that plays great football and he’s been physical. The continuity of those guys and Andrew being in there has been really well because he can make the blocks on the front side and the back side and do a good job in pass pro.”

Carson Wentz excited to be a Commander

Carson Wentz sees big things for Commanders’ offense, and is excited to play Eagles Sunday.

Carson Wentz is calm on the outside but excited on the inside.

His emotions have to be churning somewhat as he prepares to face the Eagles at FedEx Field Sunday.

“I’m excited for it just because of the nature of the game. Obviously, you know, they’ve started hot. We know where we’re at and everything. It’s a divisional rivalry, all of those things. I’ve been a part of this one. I know the emotion that goes into it from the other side. So, I’m excited for it.”

Wentz would rather talk about playing for the Commanders and offensive coordinator Scott Turner.

“Obviously last week, the way we started was pretty bad, myself included. I do think just the way we can attack. I think we’ve shown we’re capable of being an explosive offense with the way we can spread the ball around, create mismatches. I think we got a lot of speed, a lot of playmakers that make my life easier. It has been fun when we see that we’re clicking out there, it has been fun. We just gotta find ways to be consistent when we’re doing it.”

He has one home game under his belt in burgundy and gold but is looking forward to this one Sunday.

“It’ll be fun. I do know it is exciting playing at home here. Week 1 was a lot of fun, you know, being at home there at FedEx. I’m sure the Eagles fans will travel well like they always do, but hopefully, we’re still dominating the stands there, but either way, it’ll be fun.”

When Wentz was asked about going up against Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, he didn’t take the bait.

“Again, we’re preparing to play their defense, you know, they got a good defense. I know our defense will be up for the task of stopping him in that explosive offense that they have there. But yeah, I don’t put a lot of stock into that. It’s a new team. A lot of new faces over there, so yeah, it’ll be a fun one either way though.”

Regarding the absence of the offense in the first half against Detroit, “I think we’ve shown that it just takes one play. I think, you know, for us last game not getting a first down those first couple drives and just missing here or there just one little thing. If we can just find a way to force the issue and find a first down. Create one play, one chunk play to kind of spark a little momentum and spark a little bit of that. We gotta find a way to do that.”

Hating to see center Chase Roullier injured was difficult for Wentz.

“Seeing him go down in the game, I think was the second to last play, it really made my heart hurt for him and, and the type of guy that he is not just for this team as a player, but who he is as a person and how hard he’s worked. So, definitely prayers up for him and I think things will look different in that regard front, but at the same time, I know those guys will be prepared, whoever it is and guys will be ready. They’re coached well.”