Tag: Kazmeir Allen

Commanders re-sign a pair of 2023 rookies to the roster

A pair of last season’s UDFAs are returning to the Commanders in 2024.

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters made his first two signings Tuesday by agreeing to terms with a pair of 2023 undrafted rookies.

Wide receiver Kazmeir Allen and guard Mason Brooks, two of Washington’s priority free agents after last year’s NFL draft, have inked deals with the Commanders.

Allen, who played collegiately at UCLA, is a wide receiver/return specialist who drew praise from former head coach Ron Rivera for his work last summer. However, Allen failed to separate himself and was beaten out by Dax Milne for one of Washington’s final roster spots. Milne would go injured reserve before Week 1 last season, and the Commanders chose to elevate recently signed veteran Jamison Crowder to replace him.

Allen stayed on the practice squad all season, allowing the former college running back to continue to develop as a receiver.

Brooks played offensive tackle at Western Kentucky and transferred to Ole Miss for his final season. He was reportedly Washington’s highest-paid undrafted free agent last spring. Brooks stood out during training camp practices last summer and during the preseason.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Brooks has a nasty streak and could figure into the mix with a strong offseason.

Teams normally sign practice-squad players to future deals as soon as the season ends, but Brooks and Allen reportedly explored other opportunities before choosing to return to Washington.

 

Commanders announced 15 players signed to the practice squad

Jake Fromm, Mason Brooks and Kazmeir Allen are among those back.

The Washington Commanders wasted no time in formulating their practice squad Wednesday, announcing they had signed 15 players. Teams can have 16 players on the practice squad, so the Commanders have an open spot. However, that opening is expected to go to linebacker Jabril Cox, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, per Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network.

For those worrying about Washington losing quarterback Jake Fromm or rookie wide receiver Kazmeir Allen, both are back on the practice squad. Fromm had an excellent preseason and will be Washington’s third quarterback.

Allen, an undrafted rookie from UCLA, was a running back in college before moving to wide receiver in his final season. He proved to be an electric kick returner in college but had no experience returning punts. Washington tried him at returning punts, and while he showed promise, he muffed a punt in the preseason finale.

Of the 15 players announced, all were with the Commanders in training camp and the preseason.

Here is the complete list:

  • QB Jake Fromm
  • RB Derrick Gore
  • RB/TE Alex Armah
  • WR Kazmeir Allen
  • WR Brycen Tremayne
  • G Mason Brooks
  • G/C Nolan Laufenberg
  • T Alex Akingbulu
  • T Jaryd Jones-Smith
  • DE William Bradley-King
  • DT Benning Potoa’e
  • LB De’Jon Harris
  • CB Nick Whiteside
  • CB Tariq Castro-Fields
  • S Terrell Burgess

Commanders 2023 practice squad tracker

Keep up with all of the Commanders’ practice squad additions here.

The Washington Commanders’ initial 53-man roster is set. But, as general manager Martin Mayhew said on Tuesday, it is “very fluid.”

There will be changes. Some due to waivers, some due to injuries and some due to re-signing veterans.

Which players could the Commanders bring back to the practice squad? Head coach Ron Rivera said most players released on Tuesday were candidates to return to the practice squad, whereas those released on Monday were less likely to be brought back.

Players such as quarterback Jake Fromm, running back Derrick Gore and wide receiver Kazmeir Allen are prime candidates to return if not claimed by another NFL team.

Track all of Washington’s practice squad additions below.

Commanders’ 16-man practice squad prediction ahead of final roster cuts

Washington #Commanders 16-man practice squad predictions ahead of final cuts.

The Washington Commanders began releasing players Monday before the NFL’s 4:00 pm. ET deadline Tuesday to trim rosters from 90 to 53 players.

Washington released 12 players on Monday and placed rookie offensive tackle Braeden Daniels on the reserve/injured list. That brings the number of players on Washington’s roster to 77, meaning the Commanders must release 24 more on Tuesday.

We’ve made our 53-man roster projections ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. Now, we take our shot at predicting Washington’s 16-man practice squad. Most teams like to keep players from the offseason roster on the practice squad because they’ve been with the team and know the offense and defense.

So, before we jump into the predictions, let’s explain who’s eligible for the practice squad:

  • 10 players with two or fewer accrued NFL seasons
  • 6 players with unlimited NFL experience

Here are our predictions for Washington’s practice squad.

Mitchell Tinsley feels like he did enough to earn a spot on the Commanders’ 53-man roster

Did Tinsley do enough to earn a spot on the Commanders’ 53-man roster?

Wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley has been a popular pick to make the roster of the Washington Commanders since signing as an undrafted free agent in the spring.

The Commanders were set at wide receiver with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. However, teams usually keep around six wide receivers on the roster for depth and special teams. Some teams keep five and others keep seven, but six is often the number for most NFL teams.

So, heading into training camp, Tinsley and fellow undrafted rookie, Kazmeir Allen, were locked in a battle with Dax Milne and Marcus Kemp for the final two spots. Milne was in his third season with Washington and can also return kicks and punts. Kemp was a free-agent signing who played for offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in Kansas City and is excellent on special teams.

But as training camp began, the Commanders signed another former Chief, Byron Pringle. Pringle was quickly viewed as a favorite for the No. 5 wide receiver spot.

That meant four players could be competing for one spot. In the final preseason game, no player helped themselves more than Tinsley.

Tinsley caught three passes for 89 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown. He almost had another touchdown but was ruled down around the one-yard line.

Meanwhile, Allen struggled, dropping two passes and muffing a punt.

After the game, Tinsley spoke to reporters.

“I think it went pretty well. I took advantage of my opportunities when I got them, and I think I capitalized on them,” Tinsley said when asked about his work in training camp and the preseason.

What did the coaches tell him?

“They said, ‘Good job, your always consistent’ and things like that,” Tinsley answered.

Does he think he did enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster?

“I would say so, but that’s not up to me,” Tinsley said. “For me, I just want to control the things I can control.”

Tinsley is correct. He took care of what he could control. Will that be enough? We shall see. If the Commanders waive Tinsley, you can bet they’ll be anxious hoping to re-sign him to the practice squad.

 

Commanders’ stock up, stock down ahead of NFL’s 53-man roster deadline

A stock report before cutdown day. Which Washington player’s stock is up? What about down?

The Washington Commanders completed the preseason on Saturday with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals to finish 3-0. Now, the real work begins.

Before Washington can turn its attention to Week 1 and the Arizona Cardinals, there’s Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline, where all 32 NFL teams must trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players.

With just over 24 hours until the deadline, which Washington player’s stock is up, and whose stock is down?

5 takeaways from the Commanders’ preseason win over the Bengals

Five takeaways from the Commanders’ final preseason win.

The Washington Commanders completed the preseason with an undefeated record after Saturday’s 21-19 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. It was Washington’s first undefeated preseason since 2013, and while it means nothing come Week 1, the positive vibes surrounding the franchise are real.

With the preseason over, the Commanders now turn their attention to Tuesday’s deadline to trim the roster to 53 players. From there, it’s all about Week 1 and the Arizona Cardinals.

Here are five takeaways from the final preseason game.

WATCH: Mitchell Tinsley making his case for the Commanders’ 53-man roster

Mitchell Tinsley stated his case on Saturday evening.

Four wide receivers are guaranteed to make the Washington Commanders’ 53-man roster. Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are locks for the Commanders.

However, one of the biggest battles of the summer was for those final two wide receiver spots on the roster. Of course, Washington could keep three, but two appears more likely.

As training camp began last month, the Commanders signed veteran Byron Pringle. Pringle, who played for offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy with the Kansas City Chiefs, has looked comfortable all summer. He appears ahead of the field to be Washington’s No. 5 receiver.

As for No. 6, it’s a battle between undrafted rookies Kazmeir Allen and Mitchell Tinsley, Dax Milne and veteran Marcus Kemp. Kemp offers size, experience and special-teams’ prowess. Milne is entering his third season with Washington. The coaches like and trust him, and he can also return punts.

Finally, we have Tinsley and Allen. The undrafted rookies have both had a good summer.

In Washington’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, it was Tinsley who made the most of final audition to make the 53-man roster.

First, there was this touchdown reception from Jacoby Brissett.

Then, there was this touchdown reception from Jake Fromm — only the officials ruled him down near the goal line. How? The Commanders would score on the next play.

In case you needed one more Tinsley highlight.

Has Tinsley done enough? Only head coach Ron Rivera and the coaching staff know the answer to that question. From all appearances, yes, he has, but we’ll all find out on Tuesday.

 

6 Commanders to watch in preseason finale vs. Bengals

Here are six offensive players who could force their way on the 53-man roster with a strong showing in the preseason finale.

The Washington Commanders host the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday in the final preseason game for both teams. The Bengals will not play any of their starters, while the Commanders will play only a select few starters.

Head coach Ron Rivera didn’t confirm which starters would play. Quarterback Sam Howell will not play and veteran Jacoby Brissett will get the start. Brissett will play around a quarter before departing, allowing Jake Fromm the opportunity to finish the game.

This game represents the final opportunity for those players on the roster bubble to impress coaches and either earn a spot on the 53-man roster, or the practice squad.

There aren’t a lot of openings on the 53-man roster. However, the bottom of the depth chart at some positions, such as wide receiver, defensive end and the offensive line remain unsettled.

We’ve identified six bubble players with something to prove Saturday. We didn’t include players like defensive Andre Jones Jr. because we believe he’s already made the roster.

5 Commanders to watch in preseason Week 2 vs. Ravens

Here are five Commanders who need a strong performance on Monday night.

The Washington Commanders wrap up Week 2 of the preseason with a Monday night clash against the Baltimore Ravens. The game will be the first home game for the Commanders under new owner Josh Harris.

While the game represents just another preseason game on the calendar, it means a little more for the Ravens, who enter Monday night winners of 24 straight preseason games. Baltimore hasn’t lost a preseason game since 2015. Washington right guard Sam Cosmi let his feelings be known on the Ravens’ preseason winning streak.

The game may not mean anything in the standings for Washington, but for several players for the Commanders — and every NFL team — these games do matter. Players are fighting for their NFL futures, and strong performances in the preseason are the difference between landing on a roster or practice squad or having their NFL dreams end.

We pick five Commanders you should pay special attention to on Monday night.