Tag: roster cut down

Two undrafted rookies keep showing up for the Commanders

Two undrafted rookies continue to stand out and have an excellent shot of making the 53-man roster.

We are closing in one month since the Washington Commanders opened training camp. The Commanders have played two preseason games and have one remaining before general manager Adam Peters and Dan Quinn trim the roster to 53.

Peters and his staff will have some difficult decisions to make. Will he move on from any of Ron Rivera’s first-round picks? That seems unlikely. How many former Rivera picks will be left? How many offensive linemen will the Commanders keep? What about cornerback?

Also, how many of Washington’s 12 undrafted rookies will Peters keep? The Commanders spent big on UDFAs after the draft, with quarterback Sam Hartman, cornerback Chigozie Anusiem and safety Tyler Owens among the most prominent signings.

Hartman had a good summer before he was injured late in the first preseason game. He seemed always to be ticketed for the practice squad. Anusiem has been solid. However, Owens has been one of Washington’s camp standouts.

In reviewing each preseason game, Owens made our list of studs in both games. While the Commanders have depth at safety, Owens has firmly put himself in the conversation as a player Washington cannot afford to expose to waivers. He’s stood out defensively and on special teams.

He’s not the only undrafted rookie to stick out.

Running back Michael Wiley looks like he could steal the No. 3 running back job away from Chris Rodriguez Jr. Wiley has done a little bit of everything this summer. He’s shined as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. His most important attribute, though, may be his pass protection. Most rookie running backs struggle in pass protection. Wiley embraces it — and thrives.

Quinn has mentioned both young players unprompted multiple times in recent weeks. That doesn’t reveal the team’s plans but gives you a glimpse into what the head coach thinks of their ability.

Here’s Quinn’s comments on Owens and Wiley recently, courtesy of Ben Standig of The Athletic.

The Commanders may be able to sneak Wiley onto the practice squad. It won’t be easy with Owens. His size/speed combination and his upside make Owens a prime target to star on special teams while he continues to develop as a safety.

These two will be players to watch in Sunday’s preseason finale against New England.

Undrafted wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to make Commanders’ initial 53-man roster

The Commanders keep the undrafted rookie wideout.

Wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley was one of Washington’s priority signings after the 2023 NFL draft. Now, it looks like the undrafted rookie from Penn State will make the Commanders’ initial 53-man roster, according to John Keim of ESPN.

The competition for the final two — or three — wide receiver spots on Washington’s 53-man roster was competitive. Tinsley impressed throughout OTAs, training camp and the preseason. In the final preseason game against the Bengals, Tinsley caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

The Commanders did not want to take the chance of losing Tinsley via a waiver claim.

Earlier on Tuesday, Washington released fellow undrafted rookie wideout Kazmeir Allen. Allen has potential but is raw as a receiver and punt returner, and the Commanders would like to continue developing him on the practice squad.

While the final roster isn’t yet set, Dax Milne is also expected to make Washington’s roster for the third consecutive season. Veteran Byron Pringle is also expected to make Washington’s initial 53-man roster, which would mean seven wide receivers. Those numbers could change once cuts from all 32 teams are finalized.

Commanders waive running back Jaret Patterson

Patterson reacted to the move.

The Washington Commanders began releasing players Monday morning ahead of Tuesday’s NFL deadline to trim rosters from 90 to 53 players.

While none of the early cuts were a surprise, one player was popular among fans: Running back Jaret Patterson. Ben Standig from The Athletic first reported that Washington had waived Patterson, the third-year running back from nearby St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel.

It didn’t take long for Patterson to confirm the move, posting the following message on Twitter featuring some advice from Steve Harvey.

Patterson had a productive preseason for the Commanders. In last week’s win over the Ravens, Patterson had an impressive 15-yard touchdown reception. In the finale against the Bengals, Patterson rushed eight times for 51 yards.

An undrafted free agent out of Buffalo in 2021, Patterson spent all of his rookie season on Washington’s roster, appearing in 17 games, carrying the ball 68 times for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 10 receptions for 73 yards.

In 2022, Patterson was among the Commanders’ final cuts but was quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He remained on the practice squad until Nov. 14, when he was activated due to injuries to Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic.

Patterson would appear in three games last season, carrying the football 17 times for 78 yards. He also returned four kickoffs for 97 yards.

Patterson has proven he can play in the NFL. Unfortunately for him, he was behind Brian Robinson Jr., Gibson and rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr.  Patterson is also likely behind veteran Jonathan Williams, but it is currently unknown if the Commanders will keep three of four running backs.

 

 

Commanders roster cuts tracker: Every player Washington has released so far

The deadline to trim rosters to 53 players is Tuesday afternoon. The Commanders’ cuts have already begun.

The 2023 NFL preseason is over, and all 32 teams must now begin trimming their rosters from 90 to 53 players.

Unlike in previous years, there is now only one cutdown day — Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

It’s one of the more difficult days on the NFL calendar as the dreams of some young players will end while others are looking to catch on with other teams if not retained on either the 53-man roster or practice squad.

The Washington Commanders began making cuts on Monday morning. While it’s difficult to follow every move, we have you covered.

Mason Brooks waiting to ‘see what happens’ for Commanders’ final cuts

Mason Brooks felt he did everything he could to earn a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster.

It’s not often an undrafted free-agent offensive lineman becomes one of the more popular players in training camp. That’s what happened with Mason Brooks and the Washington Commanders.

After four years at Western Kentucky, Brooks wanted to test his talents in the SEC, using his final season of eligibility to play at Ole Miss in 2022. In a college career where he played guard and tackle, Brooks was an intriguing option in April’s NFL draft.

While Brooks wasn’t drafted, the Commanders gave him one of the largest signing bonuses for an undrafted free agent.

Why was Brooks so popular with Washington fans?

First, let’s start with the obvious. Fans are so hungry for offensive linemen that Brooks became a popular name. Secondly, when Brooks bested second-year defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis twice in drills during training camp, the word made rounds on social media.

Still, Brooks had some work to do to make Washington’s 53-man roster. In Saturday’s preseason finale against the Bengals, Brooks displayed some of that toughness and nastiness on more than one occasion.

When quarterback Jake Fromm was hit out of bounds at one point in Saturday’s game, Brooks was on the scene to defend his quarterback. Those things matter.

After Saturday’s game, Brooks was asked about making Washington’s roster.

“I’m sure it’s going to be hectic,” Brooks said of cutdown day. “At this point, you know, I guess the hay is kind of in the barn, and there’s not much more I can do. Just kinda have to let go, let God, and just see where the chips fall. Worked my hardest every day, every game, every opportunity I got, and now I just got to see what happens.”

Brooks made the most of his opportunities, but unfortunately for him, the Commanders need more help at offensive tackle. It seems almost a certainty that if cut, Brooks would land on Washington’s practice squad if he isn’t claimed by another team.

 

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?

Commanders 53-man roster projection: Final edition before Tuesday’s cuts

We make our final projections for the Commanders’ initial 53-man roster.

On Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, all 32 NFL teams must trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players. The preseason is over and 1,184 players will either hit waivers or free agency before Tuesday’s deadline.

The biggest thing to remember about the deadline is this is only each team’s initial 53-man roster. Many players will be claimed on waivers, so some of those bubble players who made the roster, aren’t able to breathe a sigh of relief until the waiver process ends.

For the Washington Commanders, head coach Ron Rivera said there were likely six or seven roster spots still being debated. So, how much will Saturday’s preseason finale play a role in the Commanders’ decision-making?

Through each week of the preseason, we’ve given our 53-man roster projection. Now, it’s time for our final roster projection. For this projection, both of our staff writers — Bryan Manning and Ivan Lambert — have each given their final 53-man roster projection.

Ron Rivera explains the Commanders’ process ahead of cutdown day

He’s also a fan of having just one cutdown day.

All 32 NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday, Aug. 29. This is the first year for the NFL with just one cutdown day. In the past, there were three separate rounds of cuts throughout the preseason and two in recent years.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera is happy with the rule change.

“Yes, I think it’s an excellent idea,” Rivera said of having one cutdown day. “I’m really glad they did that because what it does for us is we will be able to hold some guys out, specifically. We also know that we have enough guys to get through the last game and have a good game. That’s always been the concern is that the last game isn’t the type of game that I think that people really want to come see. Now that we’re able to keep a bigger number of guys, one of the things you tell these young guys, too, is you may not play a lot in the second game, but just understand that third game, you’re going to play your butt off.”

Having one cutdown day allows some players the opportunity to impress teams one last time before final cuts. In the past, if the team cut 15 players before the final preseason game, that eliminated a prime opportunity for those 15 players to have one last audition for their current team or one of the 31 other NFL teams.

Rivera explained how he and Washington’s front office trimmed the roster to 53 players.

“What we’re going to do is after the game, we’ll meet as a coaching staff, and we’ll talk specifically about each player,” Rivera said.

“Where they fit, how they fit, and what the situation circumstances are for each guy. Then myself and, the coordinators are going to sit down, and we will meet with [Executive Vice President of Football/Player Personnel] Marty [Hurney] and the personnel staff and [General Manager] Martin [Mayhew]. We’ll discuss where we are and how the coaches feel about it. We’ll listen to their take on everybody, each individual. Then we’ll discuss by position. What usually happens is we usually start with a high number on each position, and then we whittle it down.”

The Commanders face some difficult decisions at a number of positions. Will they keep 11 defensive linemen, including both rookie defensive ends? What about three quarterbacks? Six or seven wide receivers? Will Rivera part with any of Washington’s 2023 draft picks?

Saturday’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals will allow players on the roster bubble one last opportunity to impress the Commanders — and 31 other teams.

 

Washington roster cuts tracker: Latest news and updates before 53-man roster deadline

Tracking all of Washington’s cuts here ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

The Washington Football Team must trim their roster from 80 players to 53 by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.

For the first time in years, Washington has multiple tough decisions to make at the deadline. Will it keep seven wide receivers or an extra offensive lineman? Does head coach Ron Rivera go with inexperience behind Montez Sweat and Chase Young at defensive end?

We’ll be tracking all of Washington’s moves here. Follow along for the latest updates.