Tag: QB Jeff Driskel

Commanders announce Inactives vs. Bears

The inactive list is out for the Commanders ahead of their Week 8 clash vs. Bears.

The Commanders, in preparing for their Week 8 contest at home against the Bears, have announced the following are inactive.

  • QB Jeff Driskel: This is the fourth consecutive game Driskel is inactive. He is however the designated emergency quarterback if two quarterbacks are injured today. He was active when Marcus Mariota was on injured reserve.
  • S Darrick Forrest: Forrest was inactive the first four games, then active the last three, before today again being inactive.
  • TE Colson Yankoff: Yankoff has been really good on coverage teams. But it could be Jordan Magee who is taking on those duties today. This is the second game in 2024 he has been inactive.
  • LB Dominque Hampton: He is a 5th-round draft choice rookie who has been inactive each week of 2024.
  • T Brandon Coleman: With Coleman being out for the first time this season due to his concussion vs the Panthers, this means Cornelius Lucas will be counted on to go the whole game. If Lucas were to go down today, it would likely be Chris Paul who would be substituting for Lucas. Notice that Chris Paul is not inactive today; consequently, the Commanders have listed Paul as active for today. It is his first game to be active in 2024.

 

 

LT Brandon Coleman to play in Commanders’ opener

Some good news regarding a pair of rookies.

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn announced Friday that Brandon Coleman will play in the season opener on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Coleman was drafted out of TCU in round three (67 overall) of April’s NFL draft, and he was getting some reps as the No.1 left tackle in training camp when he injured a pectoral muscle. This resulted in Coleman missing all three preseason games.

The left tackle has been trending upward the last two weeks, and Friday at his press conference, Quinn asked, “Will Brandon Coleman start?”

Quinn responded, “He will play.”

Consequently, because Cornelius Lucas started in the preseason, he will get the start Sunday in Tampa against the Bucs. Coleman is trending upward; the Commanders think he is ready to play some but don’t want him bearing the load just yet. So, it looks like Lucas and Coleman will rotate in some fashion on Sunday.

To this point, no Commanders coach or player has unveiled their plan for playing both left tackles on Sunday. Todd Bowles has active blitz packages for the Bucs’ defense. Thus, perhaps the Commanders don’t want to rush in Coleman too soon with too many blitz rushes to consider.

In other injury news, Quinn made it clear that No. 2 quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a pectoral injury in Wednesday’s practice. Missing practice Thursday and Friday, Mariota has been ruled out for the opener against the Bucs. Jeff Driskel will serve as Jayden Daniels’ backup.

Rookie defensive tackle Johnny Newton is trending upward. Quinn said he was closer. In fact, he expressed that Newton will travel on Sunday and said, “We haven’t ruled him out” of playing in the 2024 opener.

Will QB Marcus Mariota miss the Commanders’ season opener?

Will it be Jeff Driskel serving as Jayden Daniels’ backup in Week 1?

Thursday’s Commanders’ practice had two noticeable absences.

Defensive tackle Johnny Newton did not practice, but the biggest news out of practice was that No. 2 quarterback Marcus Mariota also did not practice. What is most concerning is that on Wednesday, Mariota was limited in practice but did not even practice on Thursday.

It has been a strange turn of events for Mariota this preseason. He only played a series in the preseason opener against the Jets and did not play again in two preseason games. His first injury was a groin injury and we don’t know how or when, but the team has reported the last two days Mariota has a chest injury. An injury that apparently kept him out of practice on Thursday.

Newton apparently was pushed Wednesday, and the team wanted to rest him Thursday, push him again Friday, and then evaluate whether he is ready for the opener. But Mariota’s inability to practice raises questions about whether he will be inactive on Sunday. If so, the team would have their third quarterback, Jeff Driskel, active as the backup to starter Jayden Daniels.

 

2024 NFL preview: How ready are the Commanders at quarterback?

Previewing the quarterback position for the Commanders ahead of Week 1.

Jayden Daniels called an audible, overruling the play (screen), which had come in from the sidelines.

It was his first third down in the first series of his first preseason game. He instead called for an empty backfield with all five receivers running a vertical route. Daniels then looked the safety off to the left side of the field, eliminating his help against Dyami Brown. Daniels then fired deep to Brown for a 42-yard gain.

On a third-and-long against the Dolphins, Daniels simply took what the defense gave him. He took the check down, gained good yardage, and made the field goal attempt much closer. The Commanders have to be thrilled with Daniels’ progress thus far.

Of course, there will be struggles; he is a rookie. His extremely lean frame will continue to be a concern. With his quickness and speed, Kliff Kingsbury will want to run some zone-read options each game. Therefore, Daniels will need to get down and avoid hits often.

Marcus Mariota has been one Daniels says he is leaning on heavily. Coaches have said he has accepted his role very well and is supportive of Daniels. Mariota has walked in Daniels’ shoes. He is good to have in Daniels’ ear each day and each game.

On the other hand, Mariota is now dealing with his second injury of the preseason. First, it was a groin, now a chest injury. The plan was that Mariota would be the only other quarterback on the roster, but what little action he saw wasn’t good, and with another injury, one can’t help but wonder if the Commanders might actually have Mariota “inactive” for the opener.

Which leads to Jeff Driskel. Driskel received many more snaps in the preseason and produced several nice plays. As a result, the decision was made to keep Driskel on the roster as the third quarterback. If Mariota is not ready for the opener, they will be glad Driskel is available.

Sam Hartman injured a shoulder in the first preseason game against the Jets and did not see action in the final two preseason games. He was waived, then brought back and signed to the practice squad.

Quinn: Commanders ‘have a really cool quarterback room here’

Dan Quinn and Adam Peters discussed keeping three quarterbacks and one on the practice squad.

Did the NFLPA’s decision to decline the option to have the emergency quarterback come off the practice squad lead the Commanders to keep three quarterbacks on their initial roster?

That was a question posed Wednesday to general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn during their press conference. On Tuesday, the team announced its initial 53-man roster, which included quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, and Jeff Driskel.

Peters began by expressing, “not a lot.” “We thought Jeff did a really good job throughout. He got better and better throughout the offseason and training camp. We thought when we were making those (roster) decisions that Jeff earned a spot on the 53.”

Peters acknowledged the two spots were already determined to be Daniels and Mariota, but that Driskel “went and took it (roster spot). I am proud of him and the way he played; he earned it.”

Quinn quickly jumped in, elaborating further, “It’s a really cool quarterback room here. The coaching, their connection together and to see these four guys working together and in support of all that goes into it. It was by design that we were going to be heavy into that space from a coaching point of view. To see that transfer into the players and the belief in them, it’s been all we hoped it would be.”

The fourth was rookie Sam Hartman out of Notre Dame (and Wake Forest). Hartman was brought back and signed to the practice squad.

With Daniels being a rookie, the coaches could think that keeping another veteran around like Driskel in addition to Mariota gives Daniels another player with years of experience preparing in work weeks throughout an NFL season.

In addition, keeping Hartman means the Commanders have an extra veteran in Driskel for knowledge and playing if necessary. They also have Hartman, whom they can keep in hopes that he will develop toward competing for a roster spot next year.

Why did the Commanders keep QB Jeff Driskel?

Why did the Commanders keep three quarterbacks?

Why did the Commanders keep Jeff Driskel as a third quarterback on their initial 53-man roster?

For the last two weeks, several insiders have publicly stated that they felt strongly the Commanders would only keep two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster while placing a third on their practice squad.

Yet, after Tuesday’s deadline, Washington has three quarterbacks: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, and Jeff Driskel.

Head coach Dan Quinn, in speaking with the media Tuesday, expressed, “I think as you are going through it, quite honestly, we like the quarterback room. You just want as many guys in the building that are going through the process, understanding the system and working out. It’s such an important position as you are going through you want as many guys in the building that are always developing, always pushing. No other reason than the talent of the group and we really felt like this group was really pushing it. That was the reason behind it.”

Quinn wasn’t being dishonest. He is simply cautious not to say too much. Mariota, the second quarterback, was the second overall pick in 2015 and he has walked in Daniels’ shoes.

In addition, Mariota was recently in training camp, injuring a groin. If they need to go to another quarterback this season, right now, they are saying they want to have Driskel around.

Being in his first NFL season, the Commanders may feel it best to have two veteran quarterbacks in Daniels’s ear. Having supportive quarterbacks who accept their role in the quarterback room Monday through Friday is going to be very important for Daniels this year.

Driskel is 31. He has been around the football block a few times himself. He was a 5-star recruit for the Florida Gators and was going to be a big deal in the SEC. But it didn’t work out as planned.

Yet, Driskel has persevered, been a good student of the game, and been a good teammate. Consequently, he now enters his seventh NFL team in his eighth NFL season. Having been with the Bengals, Lions, Broncos, Texans, and Browns, he is glad to be here. He won’t make waves. He will come to work each day and be glad to be of whatever help he can to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.

First-half observations from Commanders vs Patriots’ final preseason game

Five thought on the first half.

The Washington Commanders hosted the New England Patriots on Sunday in their third and final preseason game. Here are some observations from the first half of the Commanders’ game against the Patriots.

  1. Jeff Driskel played the entire first half, completing 12 of his 18 attempts for 73 yards. He did have a bad interception, where he stared down his receiver and threw directly into coverage, which he never saw.
  2. Cole Turner had another pass go off his hands, and it was intercepted by the Patriots’ Joe Giles-Harris. This is Turner’s third season, and it has not been impressive in the last two weeks. We will see if Colton Yankoff gets that fourth tight end spot on the roster.
  3. I’m not sure about Noah Igbinoghene. Early on, I thought he would surely make the roster, but he missed two tackles in the first half.
  4. Armani Taylor-Prioleau is trying to make the roster at offensive tackle. But one play sticking in my mind is when he was taken and pushed all the way back to Driskel, forcing Driskel to abandon passing the ball and stepping up and being tackled at the line of scrimmage.
  5. KJ Henry was completely unblocked when he nailed Jacoby Brissett, appearing to cause Brissett shoulder pain. Henry had good penetration on two other plays, disturbing the Patriots’ offense.

Some surprising Commanders raise questions

Some success stories this summer raise questions.

With one final preseason game to go, some roster spots will be settled against the Patriots on Sunday.

There have been some disappointments for the Commanders but also some pleasant surprises thus far.

Did any of us expect Dyami Brown to be passing Jahan Dotson in training camp? Probably not anyone saw that coming. Did you notice Jayden Daniels went to Brown twice early on the first drive against the Dolphins?

Speaking of Daniels, he has certainly been better than expected, and don’t forget Jeff Driskel. He has made enough plays in the first two games; he raises the question, would they keep him now?

I was certain that Chris Rodriguez would be the third running back. He ran really hard last season and was physical. But Michael Wiley has looked good enough both weeks that he has me wondering: Might he be the third running back?

Jamin Davis has made plays learning a new position. And this isn’t simply a different linebacker position. No, he is down on the edge doing battle every snap against huge offensive tackles. That is quite a transition, and he only weighs 234. Has he done enough?

Tyler Owens was an undrafted safety who had transferred from Texas and made the CFP to Texas Tech. He has grabbed the attention of viewers in both preseason weeks. There is depth at safety. So, if Owens makes the roster, whom does he replace?

Olamide Zaccheaus was brought here simply to be a camp route runner for the reps and preseason games. At least, that was what I thought in April. He had a 19-yard punt return and a nice reception negated by a penalty, no fault of his. Might he be a receiver/punt returner on opening day?

When camp began, I thought Tariq Catro-Fields was gone. But he played some good man coverage last week, which made me wonder if some good coverage against the Patriots might get him a spot.

That was Colson Yankoff you might have noticed really hustling on some special teams efforts against the Dolphins. He is only 225 at tight end, but could his special teams efforts be the deciding factor for him?

 

Commanders’ Marcus Mariota injured, out for Saturday’s game

Marcus Mariota and Sam Hartman are out Saturday.

Injuries happen every season, but you certainly cringe when your second quarterback goes down.

That’s the situation for the Commanders as Dan Quinn announced backup quarterback Marcus Mariota won’t be playing Saturday against the Dolphins.

Mariota apparently has an injured groin, and the coaches aren’t comfortable asking him to play in Saturday’s second preseason game. Rather than risking further injury, Quinn has determined it best to rest Mariota on Saturday, keeping him out of the action and preventing him from further injury.

QB Sam Hartman (shoulder) was injured last week vs. the Jets and is also unable to play against the Dolphins. Quinn has yet to make clear how much starter Jayden Daniels will play. But Mariota’s injury most likely means Jeff Driskel will see the most action, with Trace McSorley finishing the game.

The former Oregon Duck quarterback spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans (2015-19), before moving westward to the Raiders (2020-21), Falcons (2022) and Eagles (2023).

Quinn has praised Mariota for his attitude and approach to this season. There had been some friction in Atlanta, with Mariota not finishing the season well with the Falcons (2022).

However, two seasons later, Mariota, according to Quinn has accepted his role as a supportive, veteran leader of the team in general, and the quarterback room and Jayden Daniels in particular.

Like Daniels, Mariota was drafted second overall in the NFL Draft (2015). Consequently, he understands the pressure of being the franchise quarterback, expected to rescue the team from the depths of the NFL. Therefore, Mariota could be a huge help psychologically, encouraging and mentoring Daniels.

 

Why did the Commanders sign QB Jeff Driskel?

Why did the Commanders choose Driskel?

Recent days revealed many Commanders fans unimpressed with the Commanders signing veteran quarterback Jeff Driskel.

But a second look reveals the move by general manager Adam Peters makes good sense.

Yes, the Commanders will draft a quarterback in the first round of April’s NFL draft, increasing the total to four quarterbacks on the roster.

Why be surprised? Didn’t Peters publicly inform the media and fans recently he was going to add two more quarterbacks to the roster?

Not all signings are equal. They never have been, and they never will be. Peters knows his starter is going to be either Marcus Mariota or his rookie drafted in the first round.

Driskel is 31 and has had plenty of time to display and grow into an NFL starter. It is most likely not going to happen. Again, not all signings are equal because not all roster spots are equal.

This is true in the NFL, it’s true in college, even in high schools. You have your starters. Some might develop and challenge for a starting spot. Some are going to play special teams, and yes, some are there to fill out your roster, allowing you to scrimmage in practice and scrimmage other teams.

Consequently, the signing of Driskel is for two basic reasons. Driskel was not signed to come in and challenge for the starting job. He was also not brought in to challenge for the backup role.

It is perfectly reasonable to conclude that Driskel was brought in to compete with Jake Fromm to determine who will be the third quarterback next season.

And it is not out of the realm of possibility, that Driskel was brought in to be an “arm”, a “camp arm.” Your top two quarterbacks simply cannot be passing every workout, rep after rep, in training camp. That is an easy way for your quarterbacks to develop elbow or shoulder fatigue/inflammation.

Therefore, there are many reps and much extra work for receivers in the passing game. Fromm and now also Driskel are going to be there to get those players the reps they need in training camp and to fill out three preseason games of reps as well.

Peters signing Driskel to have four quarterbacks from now until the final cut day just prior to the regular season is wise.