Tag: chase roullier

Commanders re-sign center Tyler Larsen

Veteran center Tyler Larsen is returning in 2023.

The Washington Commanders are welcoming veteran center Tyler Larsen back for another year in 2023. Larsen, who joined Washington in 2021, had each of his last two seasons end prematurely with a severe leg injury.

Larsen, 31, first entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent from Utah State.

Larsen initially signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent but was cut before the season. Larsen joined Washington in 2015 and was again released before the season. His first break came in 2016 when he landed with Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers. Larsen spent five seasons with the Panthers.

In 2021, Larsen replaced Washington center Chase Roullier when Roullier suffered a broken leg in Week 8. Unfortunately, Larsen would suffer an Achilles injury after nine games and three starts.

In 2022, Roullier would go down in Week 2 and again be lost for the season. Larsen hadn’t yet been cleared for his return but made his debut in Week 5. He returned to the starting lineup in Week 6, and Washington’s offensive line significantly improved with Larsen at center.

Sadly, history repeated itself in a Week 13 game against the Giants as Larsen suffered a significant knee injury and was again lost for the season.

Early in free agency, the Commanders signed center/guard Nick Gates from the Giants and tackle/guard Andrew Wylie from the Chiefs. Roullier also remains under contract but would need to take a pay cut to return. Washington would prefer going into the season with three players who could play center to avoid the disaster of the last two seasons.

Larsen is a good player who, like Gates and Wylie, offers the position flex that Rivera loves. Injuries in back-to-back seasons were an unfortunate break for Larsen, who would have likely earned a bit more money if not for bad luck.

 

Commanders initially address offensive line in 2023 free agency

What does Washington’s OL moves Monday mean for others, such as Chase Roullier, Wes Schweitzer and Andrew Norwell?

Commanders fans should be pleased with Washington’s front office addressing their offensive line play, which substantially dropped off in 2022.

On the first day of the 2023 free agency tampering period, the Commanders have already announced they will be signing Andrew Wylie (OT) and Nick Gates (OL).

Wylie’s deal is for three years and up to $24 million for the former Kansas City Chief. No doubt, the addition of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy played into this decision.

Early speculation would lead us to believe Wylie will be the projected starter at right tackle. This would enable the Commanders to move right tackle Sam Cosmi inside to right guard, replacing Trai Turner. On the surface, the move appears to improve the Commanders at both positions.

Wylie is mobile at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, and also durable. In his five seasons in the NFL, he has been available in 71 of his possible 82 games. Wylie has not been an All-Pro or a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Yet, he may still be developing and maturing as a player, as he arguably accomplished his best pass-blocking season in 2022.

Gates comes from the division rival New York Giants, and his deal is reportedly for three years at a maximum value of $18 million, and $8 million is guaranteed. Gates has been in the league for four seasons (2019-22). The 6-foot-5, 307-pounder was undrafted out of Nebraska.

Gates broke his left fibula and tibia against Washington in 2021. Seven surgeries later, he was back in the lineup, playing ten games (starting 8) in 2022.

What does this decision signify for the interior of the Commanders line? Frankly, Gates was not overly impressive in 2022. Jonathan Allen pushed him around more than a few times. Perhaps the Commanders are banking on Gates being stronger a second year following his very serious leg injuries?

Are the Commanders planning on parting ways with Chase Roullier? Wes Schweitzer? Tyler Larsen? Andrew Norwell?

What roster or cap moves might the Commanders make next?

The Commanders have plenty of options to create more cap space ahead of free agency.

Having released Carson Wentz and Bobby McCain, the Commanders have gained salary cap space. Whom might they release next?

The release of Wentz alone opened up over $26 million in salary cap space for 2023. The move to release McCain created $2.2 million in cap space.

There are likely a few more moves to come soon. The Commanders could release a few players. They could also be frank with some players who are making much more than they produced. The Commanders would have the leverage toward restructuring some contracts, opening up more cap space.

A likely candidate for restructuring is tight end Logan Thomas. Coming off of his ACL injury late in 2021, Thomas struggled in 2022. His 2023 cap number being $8,675,000, can’t be ignored. Some have speculated Thomas could even be released.

Other candidates for restructuring or possible release are left tackle Charles Leno ($12,500,000), Chase Roullier ($12,420,000), left guard Andrew Norwell ($5,080,000), offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas ($4,350,000 and running back J.D. McKissic ($3,230,000).

Leno, Norwell and Lucas all struggled at times in 2022, decreasing the offensive line’s effectiveness in 2022 from the fine season the unit accomplished in 2021.

Roullier, unfortunately, suffered another major leg injury for the second consecutive season. He has been a very effective center in the past, but it could be the Commanders may not want to risk three consecutive years on Roullier or may work toward restructuring his deal.

McKissic, for the second consecutive season, injured his neck. The neck is never something to be taken as lightly as many other injuries. The Commanders may choose to use Samuel or Antonio Gibson more on third downs where McKissic was so effective in 2021.

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Counting down the Commanders’ 20 biggest cap hits in 2023: Beginning with No. 5

Who has the five biggest cap hits on Washington’s roster in 2023? We know No. 1 will not be here.

Which Washington Commanders players will count the largest cap hit for the 2023 NFL season?

Commanders Wire concludes our counting down of the top 20 Washington Commanders with the largest cap hit for 2023.

Of course, the Commanders will be making a roster move soon, which will tremendously affect the 2023 team Salary Cap. But for now, Commanders Wire will report how the salary cap hits stand at the time of this writing until the team actually makes the very much anticipated release of a player.

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*All salary cap numbers are courtesy of Spotrac.

Commanders lose center Tyler Larsen for the season

Tyler Larsen will not be easy to replace this season for the Commanders.

For the second consecutive season, the Washington Commanders have placed two starting centers on season-ending injured reserve. Washington announced Monday it had placed center Tyler Larsen on injured reserve after he injured his knee in the Week 13 tie against the New York Giants.

Not long after Larsen went to the ground, the medical cart came to the field to pick him up. Not much was said about Larsen’s condition after the game as the Commanders wanted to get a second opinion, but Monday’s news was bad for Larsen and the team.

Larsen tore his Achilles in Week 14 last year and worked his way back earlier this season. After starting center Chase Roullier was lost for the season in Week 2, the Commanders used Wes Schweitzer at center, but he suffered a concussion. Washington then started newly-signed Nick Martin at center until Larsen returned in Week 6. Larsen’s return stabilized an offensive line that had struggled early in the season

Schweitzer returned last week, but the Commanders may keep him at guard, meaning Martin could be back at center Sunday for the game against the Giants.

Larsen tweeted about the terrible field conditions at MetLife Stadium last week.

Losing Larsen is a difficult blow for Washington’s offensive line.

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What we learned from the Eagles’ Monday night loss to the Commanders

As we head towards Week 11 at Indianapolis, here’s what we learned from the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss to the Washington Commanders.

The Eagles will return to the practice field Thursday as the team prepares for a critical Sunday matchup on the road against the Colts.

The NFL world is still reacting to the Commanders’ 32-21 upset win on Monday night. Philadelphia will have to adjust after placing Dallas Goedert, Avonte Maddox, and Marlon Tuipulotu on injured reserve with various injuries.

Teams can learn a lot from a loss, and we’ve highlighted four key takeaways and what we learned from Monday night.

Studs and duds from Eagles 32-21 loss to the Commanders

Here’s a look at the studs and duds from the Philadelphia Eagles Week 10 loss to the Washington Commanders

The Eagles are dealing with an unfamiliar feeling after suffering the first loss of their 2022 regular season after a disastrous showing against Washington.

Philadelphia didn’t make enough plays on offense and was physically outmanned by the Commanders on defense for the first time this season.

Here are the studs and duds from Monday night.

National reactions: 8-1 Eagles exposed after suffering first loss to the Commanders

Here’s what the national media is saying after the Philadelphia Eagles fell to 8-1 on the season after suffering their first loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 10

It wasn’t Buster Douglas-Mike Tyson, but the Washington Commanders shook up the NFL world for 24 hours after a 32-21 upset win over the then-undefeated Eagles.

The Commanders held the ball for nearly 50 minutes and were more physical than Philadelphia, dominating the line of scrimmage on offense while doing enough to keep one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses grounded.

Washington provided a recipe for success against the Eagles, who’ll look to adjust on defense with Jordan Davis out two more games.

Here’s the national reaction to Monday night’s loss.

What the Eagles are saying after 32-21 loss to the Commanders

Here’s the postgame reaction and quotes from the Philadelphia Eagles after their 32-21 loss to the Washington Commanders

The Eagles are dealing with an unfamiliar feeling after suffering the first loss of their 2022 regular season after a disastrous showing against Washington.

Philadelphia didn’t make enough plays on offense and was physically outmanned by the Commanders on defense for the first time this season.

The Eagles are on a short week and need to mentally rebound ahead of a trip to Indianapolis to face the rebuilding Colts.

Here’s what the Birds are saying ahead of Wednesday’s walkthrough.

Eagles snap count vs. Commanders: Breakdown, observations from Week 10

Here’s a look at the snap count and playing time usage from the Philadelphia Eagles’ 32-21 loss to the Washington Commanders

The Eagles are now 8-1 on the season and looking to rebound from a shocking Monday night loss to the scrappy Washington Commanders.

Philadelphia will now adjust and look towards a Sunday matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, and we’re breaking down the snap counts from Monday’s loss.