Tag: Phidarian Mathis

Which players could the Commanders trade?

What other players could the Commanders trade?

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters has proven he’s not afraid to make a deal. His first trade in March was trading 2023 starting quarterback Sam Howell to Seattle for draft picks. In the 2024 NFL draft, Peters traded back in the second round, adding another second-round pick.

Last week, Peters struck again. First, he traded a conditional draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for kicker Cade York. York shined in his debut for Washington, making both field goals and PATs in the final preseason game. However, Peters made headlines later last Thursday by sending 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson within the division to the Philadelphia Eagles.

There were already questions about which receiver would step up opposite Terry McLaurin, and those questions remain. Help could be on the way, though. The Commanders are No. 2 in the waiver priority order due to their poor record last season. That means only the Carolina Panthers are ahead of them if talented players at positions of need hit the waiver wire.

While Peters will likely be active on the waiver wire, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t make more trades. According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, the Commanders let other teams know about their surplus at specific positions, and this was before the Dotson trade.

That begs the question: Which other players could the Commanders trade on cutdown day (Tuesday) or later in the week?

We look at four players Washington could move.

DT John Ridgeway

Ridgeway is a third-year defensive tackle drafted by head coach Dan Quinn in Dallas. When the Cowboys waived him two years ago, they hoped to sneak him onto the practice squad, but Washington wisely claimed him. Ridgeway has provided good depth for the Commanders and had a strong preseason. Washington isn’t trading Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, or rookie Johnny Newton, meaning Ridgeway could be an attractive option for other teams. He has two years remaining on his rookie deal, and it’s cheap.

DT Phidarian Mathis

See above. Mathis is entering his third season and has two years remaining on his rookie deal. Unlike Ridgeway, Mathis was a much higher pick, going No. 47 overall in 2022. Mathis hasn’t contributed much in his first two seasons, but he showed up motivated to join the new regime. Quinn has praised him more than once. Mathis finished the preseason on a strong note. Washington would probably keep both if it didn’t have so many good options. Mathis and Ridgeway are similar, but Ridgeway offers a little more versatility.

LB/DE Jamin Davis

This doesn’t seem very likely but never say never. The Commanders moved the 2021 first-round pick to edge rusher this offseason, and he has worked at the position extensively throughout training camp and the preseason. Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have praised his work ethic and determination to tackle a new position. Washington likes Davis’ progress and believes he could help as a rotational pass rusher at some point. But if someone offered a draft pick, would Peters take it and move on?

S Darrick Forrest

This one is unfortunate. Forrest looked like a building block two years ago, starting at safety for most of the season. However, he’s battled injuries in his career, and under this new regime, Forrest has been working behind others. Another injury in camp didn’t help his cause. Forrest can play. It appears he’s caught up in a numbers game, and if no one makes an offer for him, Forrest could be released on Tuesday. He will catch on somewhere, as he can help a team defensively and on special teams.

New coaching staff having an impact on some young Commanders

Multiple former Washington draft picks already benefitting from coaching change.

When the Washington Commanders selected Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis with the No. 47 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, it was to replace Daron Payne. Payne had one year remaining on his rookie deal. However, Payne would go on to have a career year in 2022, earning a four-year extension that made him the second-highest-paid defensive tackle ever at that time.

Meanwhile, Mathis was injured in Week 1 and missed the remainder of his rookie season. He returned to the field in 2023, appearing in 10 games for the Commanders, recording eight tackles.

The Commanders fired Ron Rivera in January, meaning the man who brought Mathis to Washington was gone. You’d think that would make Mathis nervous, but instead, he looked at it as an opportunity.

Earlier this week, Mathis was scheduled to return to Ashburn from his native Louisiana for the start of training camp. However, a global IT outage canceled flights throughout the country, and Mathis was among those impacted. Instead of using it as an excuse, Mathis took it upon himself to rearrange his travel plans in order to be at camp on time.

That impressed head coach Dan Quinn.

“I’ve really been impressed by Phil,” Quinn said Thursday. “He is just somebody that’s not going to miss this opportunity. I’m sure you guys saw some of the flight stuff. He was going to have a hard time getting in on time, and he wasn’t having it.”

It may seem like a small thing, but it impressed Quinn and the coaching staff. The coaching hasn’t only reenergized stars like Terry McLaurin and Jonathan Allen but other young players looking to turn their careers around, like Mathis.

“I just had to get here on time,” he said, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “I didn’t want to be late on the first day.”

A big reason for Mathis’ motivation is the new coaching staff.

“I just really feel like this is what a lot of guys needed, especially myself,” he said. “Just a new coaching staff that really just pushes us, man. I think they bring it all out of us. They make it exciting to be here every day. You can tell there’s a new standard around here.”

Washington’s players want to be coached. There’s a greater emphasis on teaching and technique at every position. Health aside, the coaching change could be what saves Mathis’ career in Washington. He’s not the only former Commanders’ draft pick trying to turn things around.

Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes is off to a strong start in camp. The staff wanted Forbes to add weight in the offseason, which he did. Through the first few days of camp, Forbes has looked like a different player. There’s still a long way for him to go, but the new staff has already impacted him.

Others, such as Jamin Davis, Benjamin St-Juste, and Dyami Brown, are all looking to turn things around in 2024 and have all expressed excitement about playing for Quinn.

Perhaps, after all, Rivera’s draft picks may not look as bad with a more qualified staff coaching them.

48 days until Alabama football kicks off the 2024 season

Alabama football will kickoff the 2024 season in just 48 days!

In 48 days, Kalen DeBoer will usher in a new era of Alabama Crimson Tide football, replacing the legendary [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] as head coach in Tuscaloosa.

Coach DeBoer and the Crimson Tide will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Aug. 31 to kick off the 2024 college football season inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

At Roll Tide Wire, we will count down the days until Alabama football takes the field.

Today, with 48 days remaining, we will look at a former standout for the Tide, [autotag]Phidarian Mathis[/autotag].

Mathis was Alabama’s dominant defensive lineman during the 2021 season, finishing with 10.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

Mathis accumulated 129 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks for his career.

Mathis is entering his second season with the Washington Commanders.

Phidarian Mathis’ Photo Gallery

Commanders DT Phidarian Mathis looks to turn things around in 2024

2024 will be a make-or-break year for Phidarian Mathis.

Washington defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations since being picked No. 47 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

As a rookie, Mathis injured his knee on the third play of his NFL career and missed the remainder of the season. In 2023, a calf injury cost him seven games. Through two NFL seasons, Mathis has played a total of 206 defensive snaps.

In his 206 snaps, Mathis has just eight tackles and no sacks.

With a new general manager in town and new coaches to follow, Mathis must produce in 2024 to stick around. He’s no longer viewed as a second-round pick. He understands the urgency and plans on having a strong offseason.

“I just want to come back next year and just have a full year and turn everything around,” Mathis said, per commanders.com. “Mentally, it took a toll on me bad. You’ve got people who have expectations for you. You got family expectations, you’ve got expectations for yourself. It’s kind of overwhelming because you know what you can do, and you keep having setbacks after setbacks; it’s kind of a mental game for me. It kind of took me into a deep depression. I was kind of down all year long just knowing I was supposed to be out there, and I wasn’t able to be out there.”

Mathis plans on coming back as a different player beginning in the spring.

“I just want to improve all around, my game. I want to come back a different person, have a different mindset, a different mentality. I just want to come back a different guy. I know I’m gonna come back a different guy, and I’m gonna put more on tape. I’m going to work so hard until I can’t no more. I know this is an important year for me just to show everybody who I really am.”

Mathis, and fellow third-year defensive tackle John Ridgeway are under contract for two more seasons. Starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne also return, although there is speculation Allen could be traded. Regardless of Allen’s status, 2024 is a make-or-break year for Mathis.

Commanders place Cody Barton, Saahdiq Charles on IR

Cody Barton, Saahdiq Charles will miss at least the next four games.

The Washington Commanders will be without two starters for at least the next four weeks.

On Saturday, Washington placed linebacker Cody Barton (ankle) and left guard Saahdiq Charles (calf) on injured reserve. Both players can return this season but will miss a minimum of four games.

The Commanders made some corresponding moves, activating defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis from IR and elevating linebacker Jabril Cox and cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields from the practice squads. Additionally, Washington signed fullback/tight end Alex Armah to the active roster.

Barton had played every snap through Washington’s first six games until he was injured in the first quarter of the Week 7 loss to the Giants. The combination of David Mayo and Khaleke Hudson will step in for Barton. Barton had struggled in his first year with Washington but played his best game in the Week 6 win over Atlanta.

Charles is in the final year of his rookie contract and continues to struggle with injuries. Washington is expected to start either rookie Ricky Stromberg or Chris Paul at left guard. If the Commanders bench center Nick Gates for Tyler Larsen, Gates could also be an option at left guard.

Washington hosts the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.

Former Alabama DL Phidarian Mathis removed from injured reserve, set to make season debut with Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders removed former Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis from the injured reserve.

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis will make his season debut on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mathis suffered a season-ending knee injury during the first game of his rookie season in 2022.

Mathis is one of three former Alabama players on the Commanders defensive line. He joins fellow Crimson Tide alumni Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

The Louisiana native spent four seasons in Tuscaloosa before entering the 2022 NFL Draft. He was drafted in the second round by the Commanders.

Now, he will see the field for the first time in over a year. After being on injured reserve for the first seven games of the season, the Commanders will allow Mathis to see game action. It should be a huge help for an already strong Commanders defensive front.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players in the NFL and other news surrounding the Alabama football program.

Commanders open 21-day practice window for DT Phidarian Mathis

Mathis has missed 23 out of a possible 24 games early in his NFL career.

The Washington Commanders could soon be adding more defensive tackle depth behind Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and John Ridgeway.

Washington opened its 21-day practice window for second-year defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis on Wednesday, meaning the Commanders have that time to either activate him or place him on season-ending injured reserve.

The 2022 second-round pick played three snaps in the season opener last year before injuring his knee and was lost for the season. Just before the season began this year, Mathis, along with fellow defensive lineman Efe Obada, was placed on short-term IR. Obada returned two weeks ago but hasn’t played a ton.

Washington has used veteran Abdullah Anderson as the third defensive tackle this season behind Allen, Payne and Ridgeway. Ridgeway, a second-year player like Mathis, has impressed.

Mathis has already missed 23 out of a possible 24 games in his young career. He practiced fully on Wednesday, so, much like Obada two weeks ago, Mathis is trending toward being active for Week 8 vs. the Eagles.

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.

Former Alabama DL Phidarian Mathis to begin 2023 season on Washington Commanders Injured Reserve

The Washington Commanders placed former Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis on injured reserve on Wednesday.

The Washington Commanders placed former Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. Mathis played three snaps during his rookie season before suffering a torn meniscus.

The Louisiana native will be on the short-term list. Meaning, he will be eligible to return for the 2023 season.

Mathis is a part of a Commanders defensive front that also consists of former Alabama defensive lineman Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.

When Mathis returns, he should add depth to the Commanders’ defensive line. The outcome of NFL games are typically determined in the trenches. Mathis’ physicality and presence is something that could prove to be valuable for the Commanders in 2023.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Phidarian Mathis’ professional career as well as other former Alabama players in the NFL.

Commanders place DT Phidarian Mathis on short-term IR

And Tyler Larsen is back.

Shortly after the Washington Commanders finalized their initial 53-man roster yesterday, general manager Martin Mayhew called it “very fluid.”

On separate questions about center Tyler Larsen and fullback/tight end Alex Armah, head coach Ron Rivera and Mayhew hinted at bringing both released players back.

As it turns out, the Commanders had a plan all along. On Wednesday, Washington placed second-year defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis on the short-term reserved/injured list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the 2023 season.

In a corresponding move, the Commanders re-signed Larsen. Armah was among the players Washington signed to its practice squad on Wednesday.

It’s another tough break for Mathis, Washington’s second-round pick in 2022. Mathis injured his knee in Week 1 last season after playing only a few snaps and was lost for the season. In the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, Mathis injured his calf on the same play that defensive end Chase Young suffered a stinger.

The Commanders have arguably the NFL’s best defensive tackle duo in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, backed up by promising second-year DT John Ridgeway. Veterans Efe Obada and James Smith-Williams can also play inside, and the Commanders re-signed Benning Potoa’e to the practice squad.

Larsen is Washington’s third center on the roster, joining Nick Gates and Ricky Stromberg. All three can also play guard. Larsen has started games for Washington the last two seasons.