Commanders DE Efe Obada tells a terrific story about what makes Dan Quinn special

Obada explains why playing for Dan Quinn is special for him.

When Washington Commanders defensive end Efe Obada suffered a leg injury in a Week 11 loss to the New York Giants, things didn’t look good for his future.

Obada, who was 31 then, was scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season. After the game, it was revealed that the reserve defensive end had suffered multiple leg fractures, ending his season.

To make matters worse for Obada, Washington had fired head coach Ron Rivera. Rivera had believed in Obada, signing the raw but talented Obada who had begun his career as a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. Obada spent four seasons with the Carolina Panthers before signing as a free agent with the Bills in 2021.

In 2022, Rivera came calling again. Obada had a productive 2022 season for the Commanders in a reserve role and re-signed with Washington on another one-year deal in 2023. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just five games last season.

With Rivera gone, how would new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn view the soon-to-be 32-year-old Obada, who is coming off a severe injury?

As it turns out, Quinn remembered Obada. Back in 2016 when Quinn was head coach of the Falcons and Obada was trying to make it in the NFL, he spent some time in Atlanta’s training camp. While he didn’t make the team, he left an impression on Quinn in those few short weeks.

The Commanders were busy in free agency, signing at least 15 outside free agents but re-signing only four of their own — so far.

One of those Washington chose to retain was Obada.

Obada revealed to reporters that when he was in the hospital in November, only two coaches called him: Rivera and Quinn. Rivera, for as much as he struggled in Washington, was always respected by his players. That was not a surprise. Quinn calling Obada was a surprise.

‘Early in my career when I was still trying to figure out what football was, I had the opportunity to go for a training camp in Atlanta,” Obada said. “And Dan Quinn was the head coach there. I was there for about two or three weeks and thought nothing of it. Recently, when I broke my leg and when I was at my lowest point in the hospital, apart from Rivera, he (Quinn) was one of the only coaches that messaged me. He messaged me that I was a warrior and that I would get back. And that meant so much to me. So, for everything to play out the way it played out and for him to be here, honestly, he’s the only coach that I would want to play for right now. He’s one of the only coaches I want to go to war for, and it’s a testament to the kind of guy that he is because he cares about someone eight years later. He didn’t need to text me, and he did.”

We’ve heard how and why so many other coaches and players love Quinn. This is an excellent example, and that kind of loyalty goes a long way.

Former Commanders DE Casey Toohill signs with the Bills

Casey Toohill follows Curtis Samuel to Buffalo.

When the Washington Commanders opened last season, their top five defensive ends were slated for free agency after the season. At the NFL trade deadline in October, Washington traded starting defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young.

The trades of Sweat and Young left the Commanders with James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, and Efe Obada atop the depth chart, with rookies K.J. Henry and Andre Jones Jr. as the backups.

This offseason, new GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have been rebuilding the position, using free agency to sign Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell. Washington did bring back Obada on a one-year deal.

Toohill found a new home on Tuesday, signing a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

 

A 2020 seventh-round draft pick of the Eagles, Toohill was claimed off waivers by the Commanders in October of his rookie season. He became a consistent part of Washington’s rotations over the past four seasons, playing in 16 games in each of the past three seasons, making 14 starts.

Toohill had a career-high five sacks in 2023. Toohill has played in 57 games for his career, recording 80 tackles, 20 QB hits, and seven sacks.

Smith-Williams remains a free agent.

 

See it: Giants great Osi Umenyiora reacts to his own Super Bowl commercial

Watch New York Giants great Osi Umenyiora react to his Super Bowl LVIII commercial for the very first time.

Retired New York Giants great Osi Umenyiora is one of the rare players who was born internationally and found his way to the NFL.

After the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show, the NFL debuted a new ad campaign highlighting its International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), which Umenyiora was instrumental in launching.

In the ad, several current players are shown as a boy plays with a football while running through the streets of Accra, Ghana. At the end of the commercial, Umenyiora shows up and lets him know that his dream can be a reality and that it doesn’t matter where he was born.

“As long as you are born to play,” Umenyiora says.

On Thursday, the NFL released a heartwarming video of Umenyiora and Washington Commanders defensive end Efe Obada watching the full commercial for the first time.

The IPPP allows the NFL to expand its talent pool from US-based universities and programs to foreign countries where there is plenty of talent, but not a lot of opportunity.

Born in London and raised in Nigeria until high school when he moved to the US, Umenyiora has a passion for providing opportunities to those who might not otherwise have them. His genuine reaction to the ad that features him and that he related so authentically to Kwesi shows what a great human being Osi is.

The most interesting part of his reaction, though, is when you can see the impact register on Umenyiora’s face. Not just the impact of the ad itself, but the impact he had on making the IPPP happen, which Obada makes a point to let him know.

Umenyiora had an outstanding NFL career and is one of the greatest Giants to play defensive end. He was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2015.

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Commanders make roster moves after Efe Obada’s injury

Obada underwent surgery and was placed on season-ending IR. The Commanders signed some depth from the Bears practice squad.

On Sunday’s first series of Washington’s Week 11 game vs. the New York Giants, veteran defensive end Efe Obada went down with a leg injury. Players immediately knew it was, and the entire team surrounded Obada.

It was later revealed that Obada suffered a fractured leg. Head coach Ron Rivera offered an update Monday, saying Obada underwent surgery on Sunday night and was being placed on season-ending injured reserve.

According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, Obada suffered multiple lower leg fractures. Obada is not only excellent in his role, he’s one of the most beloved players on Washington’s roster.

As everyone knows, the Commanders must replace Obada’s spot on the roster. Washington was once deep at defensive end, but after the trades of Chase Young and Montez Sweat and the injuries suffered by Obada and James Smith-Williams, it was essentially Casey Toohill and a pair of rookies, Andre Jones Jr. and K.J. Henry.

Henry had an excellent game on Sunday against the Giants.

On Monday, after placing Obada on IR, the Commanders signed pass rusher Jalen Harris off the Chicago Bears practice squad.

Who is Harris?

An undrafted rookie from Arizona, the 6-foot-4, 257-pound Harris had five tackles and 1.5 sacks in the preseason for the Bears. Harris played 56 games for Arizona with 25 career starts. He finished his college career with 173 tackles, including 25.5 for loss and 13.5 sacks.

The Commanders also waived safety Troy Apke from IR.

Commanders DE Efe Obada carted off the field vs. Giants

Obada fractures his leg against the Giants.

The Washington Commanders began their Week 11 game against the New York Giants on defense. Unfortunately, veteran defensive end Efe Obada injured his leg at the conclusion of the opening drive.

Obada was on the ground for several minutes before the medical cart took him off the field. In some good news, as he was being carted off, Obada gave a thumbs up to the fans, who cheered.

Obada, 31, is a nine-year NFL veteran and in his second season with the Commanders. He was an integral part of Washington’s defensive line rotation in 2022, finishing with four sacks.

Obada first made an NFL roster with the Carolina Panthers in 2017 as a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

FOX Sports sideline reporter Shannon Spake reported Obada has a fractured leg.

Washington players knew immediately the situation was serious, as the team surrounded Obada.

Commanders DE Efe Obada will be active for Sunday vs. Falcons

Obada missed the first five games with a knee injury.

The Washington Commanders struggling defense should receive a nice boost for Sunday’s Week 6 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Washington announced it had activated defensive lineman Efe Obada, and he will be active for Week 6.

Obada had spent the previous five weeks on injured reserve. Washington announced this week it had opened the 21-day window to either activate Obada to the 53-man roster or end his season. The Commanders placed Obada on IR with a knee injury just before the start of the season.

The Commanders said Obada’s injury was not a long-term issue. Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis, who was also placed on IR at the same time as Obada, remains on IR.

To make room for Obada, the Commanders released defensive tackle Abdullah Anderson from the 53-man roster. Anderson could land on Washington’s practice squad.

Obada can play defensive end or tackle for the Commanders. He appeared in all 17 games last season in a reserve role, recording four sacks.

Commanders DE Efe Obada returned to practice Wednesday

Obada had four sacks in 2022 and would add some much-needed depth to the defensive line.

The Washington Commanders could soon be adding some reinforcements to their defensive line. Veteran defensive end Efe Obada returned to practice Wednesday after missing the first five weeks with a knee injury.

The Commanders now have 21 days to activate Obada from the short-term injured reserve or end his season. Washington indicated before the season that Obada would return.

The 31-year-old Obada was a key member of Washington’s defensive line in 2022 and re-signed in the offseason. Obada played in all 17 games last season in a rotational role, recording 24 tackles and four sacks.

Obada was excellent in his role and gives the Commanders versatility as he can also slide inside on passing downs.

Washington could use the help on defense, as it’s allowed 30 points or more in the last four games.

 

Commanders place DE Efe Obada on reserve/injured list

Another defensive lineman lands on IR. Fortunately, the injuries do not appear to be serious.

The Washington Commanders finalized their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday. Two days later, Washington placed two of its 11 defensive linemen on the reserve/injured list to begin the season.

On Wednesday, it was second-year defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis with a calf injury. Fortunately, it will be a stint on short-term IR for Mathis, and he’ll be eligible to return for Week 5.

On Thursday, the news came that defensive end Efe Obada would also land on the reserve/injured list. Obada was an underrated member of Washington’s defense last season. He can play defensive end and defensive tackle.

Head coach Ron Rivera said Obada was dealing with a patella issue and that this would also be a short-term IR stint for Obada.

To replace those players on the roster, Washington made the re-signing of center Tyler Larsen official and also brought back veteran defensive tackle Abdullah Anderson. Anderson signed with the Commanders in March and was released during final cuts.

Rivera spoke on the injuries and Washington’s plan moving forward.

“Those two guys gone [Obada and Mathis], we’re going to count on a veteran guy in Abdullah Anderson to step up and help out and then [DT] Benning Potoa’e,” Rivera said. “I hope I said that right. I apologize, Benning. He is a guy that we may have to pop up depending on what happens. We’re going to rely a little bit on the young guys to help round out the rest of that group.”

Potoa’e was released during final cuts and re-signed with Washington’s practice squad.

Chargers DL CJ Okoye on first sack: ‘It was an amazing moment for me’

It was a moment CJ Okoye will never forget.

Chargers defensive lineman CJ Okoye recorded a sack in last Saturday’s win over the Rams in the preseason opener. While this would be a tally in the stat sheet for any other player, this was a special moment for Okoye.

It marked Okoye’s first-ever organized football game. Not just an NFL game but the first organized football game. Okoye is a Nigerian athlete signed by the team as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.

“It was an amazing moment for me,” Okoye said Tuesday.

Okoye sacked Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett on the Chargers’ final defensive play. Afterward, his teammates went wild on the sideline.

“Watching it is like putting all this together in one, it was a moment for me,” Okoye said. “It was [an] amazing moment seeing my teammates, see my D-line room go crazy like that. I wish to go back there again.”

Notable players from the International Pathway Program include Raiders’ Jakob Johnson, Commanders’ Efe Obada and Eagles’ Jordan Mailata.

Even though he made a highlight play in preseason action, Okoye knows that nothing is guaranteed, and he will have to keep his head down and keep working hard.

“I don’t think I’m a celebrity yet, it’s just my story,” Okoye said. “I have never played football, just magically got a sack. I won’t lie, it’s an awesome feeling but you don’t go too high, you don’t go too low just stay in the middle and do your thing.

“For me, it’s just learning the most I can do, go out there and learn because we have the best D-line in the entire league. I want to learn more plays and learn more techniques.”

Regardless if Okoye makes even the practice squad or not, this was a moment that he will never forget.

Commanders re-sign defensive end Efe Obada

Obada was a key part of Washington’s defensive line rotation in 2022.

The Washington Commanders agreed to terms with defensive end Efe Obada Tuesday on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Obada, who initially signed with Washington in March 2022, played in all 17 games for the Commanders last season. Obada wasn’t just an occasional reserve but an integral part of Washington’s defensive line rotation.

Obada, a defensive end, slid inside on specific packages, giving the Commanders another interior pass rusher. For the year, he tied a career-high with 24 tackles and four tackles for loss and also recorded four sacks.

Obada’s return, along with Daron Payne re-signing for four years, ensures that the strength of Washington’s team — the defensive line — returns intact for 2023. The Commanders have an abundance of depth at defensive end and defensive tackle next season. Obada’s ability to play inside or outside makes him a valuable contributor to Washington’s top-10 defense.