Tag: Saahdiq Charles

Commanders announce inactives ahead of preseason game vs. Chiefs

The inactive list for the Commanders in their preseason game vs. Chiefs.

The Washington Commanders face the Kansas City Chiefs in game two of preseason action from Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, the Commanders released their list of players who will not participate. Some players on the list are battling injuries, such as tight ends John Bates and Cole Turner, while running back J.D. McKissic and offensive tackle Charles Leno don’t need to play.

Here is the complete list:

  • RB J.D. McKissic
  • TE Curtis Hodges
  • TE Cole Turner
  • T Rashod Hill
  • G Andrew Norwell
  • T Charles Leno Jr.
  • G Nolan Laufenberg
  • G Trai Turner
  • TE John Bates

Hodges is a surprising scratch. He was expected to split plenty of time with fellow rookie Armani Rogers. Norwell, Turner and Schweitzer, Washington’s top three guards, are all battling injuries.

The Commanders also announced some lineup changes for Saturday’s game:

  • Cornelius Lucas will start at left tackle
  • Aaron Monteiro will start at right guard
  • Saahdiq Charles will start at left guard
  • Armani Rogers will start at tight end
  • James Smith-Williams will start at defensive end

This game presents major opportunities for players like Charles, Monteiro and Rogers. Charles will likely make Washington’s roster, but it’s far from guaranteed. Monteiro is competing for a roster spot.

Commanders to sign veteran guard Andrew Norwell

The Washington Commanders are expected to sign veteran guard Andrew Norwell to fill the team’s void at guard.

The Washington Commanders do have a plan for their opening at guard. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Commanders will sign veteran guard Andrew Norwell.

John Keim of ESPN said Norwell will be at Washington’s team facilities Thursday and has agreed to a deal with the Commanders.

From the moment Washington released Ereck Flowers on Wednesday, a move for Norwell was expected. Undrafted out of Ohio State in 2014, the 30-year-old Norwell entered the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, where he played the first four seasons in the NFL.

Norwell blossomed into a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and then signed a five-year, $66.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Norwell is durable, having missed a total of three games over the last three seasons.

Norwell has played exclusively left guard in his career, which was where Flowers played for Washington. Norwell should come cheaper than the $10 million Flowers was expected to earn in 2022. However, Norwell is the more accomplished player, so it will be interesting to see his final numbers.

Wes Schweitzer and Saahdiq Charles will likely compete to start at right guard. Schweitzer has been a productive player since arriving in Washington in 2020, playing both guard spots and at center. Charles, a college tackle, showed promise in limited snaps at guard in 2021.

2022 Commanders free agency preview: Brandon Scherff is as good as gone

Brandon Scherff is Washington’s top free agent, but unlikely to return in 2022.

The Washington Commanders drafted Brandon Scherff No. 5 overall in the 2015 NFL draft. The goal was to play Scherff at right tackle, opposite of perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, and Washington would be set at offensive tackle for at least a decade.

Things didn’t work out as planned as it didn’t take long for coaches to realize Scherff would operate best at guard, while 2014 third-round pick Morgan Moses would claim right tackle.

It was a smart move by former head coach Jay Gruden and his staff as Moses and Scherff would lock down the right side of Washington’s offensive line for the next six seasons.

Scherff would become a free agent after the 2019  season, and Washington would apply the franchise tag to Scherff. Despite Washington’s attempts to work out a long-term agreement with Scherff, he would also play under the franchise tag in 2021.

Now, he will hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in his NFL career.

 

Wednesday injury report for Washington vs. Giants, Week 18

The first injury report of the week is out.

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The Washington Football Team was back on the practice field in Ashburn for the final week of the 2021 season Wednesday.

Washington (6-10) heads into a meaningless Week 18 game against the New York Giants (4-12) playing for pride, while the Giants play for draft positioning.

Washington has battled significant injuries throughout the season while facing a COVID-19 outbreak since Week 14. Now, Washington looks to end the season on a positive note with a roster as healthy as it’s been since a Week 13 win against the Raiders.

Washington had four players miss practice Wednesday: OL Saahdiq Charles, WR Curtis Samuel, TE Ricky Seals-Jones and DE Montez Sweat. In Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, Charles started at left guard after previously making two starts at right guard. With Ereck Flowers now off the reserve/COVID-19 list, Charles isn’t in line to start in Week 18.

Incredibly, we are still talking about Samuel on the injury report. He should’ve been placed on IR months ago.

Sweat remains out due to the tragic death of his brother last week.

RB Antonio Gibson, RT Sam Cosmi and DE James Smith-Williams were all limited Wednesday. Gibson is back off the COVID list, but still dealing with a hip injury.

The Giants had a long list of players either out Wednesday, or limited. RB Saquon Barkley is the most notable Giant listed on the injury report and he was limited with an ankle injury.

 

Washington rookie quartet graded out well in ugly loss to Cowboys in Week 16

It was a miserable night for Washington, but four rookies did stand out in a good way.

There wasn’t much good that came out of Washington’s 56-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. The offense was bad; the defense was dreadful. Even the usually reliable special teams allowed a touchdown.

But as with anything else, you can find some good if you dig deeply enough.

On Sunday, the good for Washington came in the form of some of their rookies on offense. Washington selected tackle Sam Cosmi, wide receiver Dyami Brown and tight end John Bates in rounds two through four in the 2021 NFL draft. For the most part, Washington has yet to receive early returns on its investments.

Cosmi has played well this season but has missed about half the games. Brown has failed to make an impact, while Bates has shown promise recently with increased playing time.

On Sunday, all three stood out.

According to Pro Football Focus, four of Washington’s highest-graded players from Sunday’s loss were rookies. Brown led all WFT players with an 86.6 grade. He caught two passes for 53 yards, including a big play where he beat Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs for a 48-yard reception. The catch set up Washington’s first touchdown.

Brown only played 13 snaps, but he made the most of them. Fellow rookie receiver Dax Milne caught one pass for 14 yards on seven snaps. He finished with an 82.7 grade.

Cosmi played every offensive snap and earned a 76.1 grade. Cosmi was impactful as a run blocker, earning an 85.2 grade.

Bates, who played 45 snaps, caught two passes for 45 yards, including his first career touchdown. He also had a 32-yard catch-and-run that was particularly impressive. He finished the game with a 71.9 grade.

Surprisingly, second-year guard Saahdiq Charles earned a 74.9 grade in place of Brandon Scherff.

So, on what was a miserable night on all fronts, there was some good. About that defense, well, we won’t go there.

Washington left tackle Charles Leno leaves game with back injury

Washington left tackle Charles Leno is the WFT’s latest offensive line injury.

It was an ugly first half for the Washington Football Team, who trailed 24-0 to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 NFL action.

Washington, down numerous starters or key players due to injury, lost another late in the second quarter. Left tackle Charles Leno appeared to be in pain after one play and quickly left the field.

Saahdiq Charles replaced him at left tackle.

Washington’s official Twitter account said Leno is questionable to return.

If Leno is out for any period of time, this is a big loss for Washington. The veteran has stabilized the left tackle position in 2021 and is a player who never misses a snap, despite all of the injuries around him. Leno has been terrific in pass protection.

After Leno’s injury, that means Washington only has two of its original five-man starting offensive line healthy. Remember, right guard Brandon Scherff missed several games with a knee injury.

Even if Leno is ultimately fine, Washington should sideline him for the remainder of this game. The WFT needs Leno for the final four games.

Washington’s Week 11 inactive list vs. Panthers

Here is Washington’s Week 11 inactive list.

The Washington Football Team released their inactive list on Sunday morning ahead of the Week 11 tilt against the Carolina Panthers. The list featured no surprises.

Wide receivers Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gandy-Golden, cornerback Corn Elder, defensive end Shaka Toney, offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles and tight end Ricky Seals-Jones are the WFT’s inactive.

Samuel participated in Friday’s practice, albeit on a limited basis. While he made the trip to Charlotte with the team, he will miss his eighth game of the season and not play against his former team.

With Sam Cosmi back, Charles is back to being inactive on gameday, with Cornelius Lucas serving as Washington’s swing tackle.

Toney was ruled out of this game with a concussion. He was slated to receive more playing time with injuries to Chase Young and Montez Sweat.

Seals-Jones didn’t practice all week after being injured in last week’s win over the Bucs. Rookie John Bates will serve as Washington’s top tight end. Temarrick Hemingway was elevated to the active roster on Saturday to provide depth along with Bates and Sammis Reyes.

Some good news for Washington is cornerbacks Benjamin St-Juste and Kendall Fuller will play.

 

Cornelius Lucas is out for Washington on Sunday vs. Broncos

Washington will be down to its third-team right tackle on Sunday. This is a significant opportunity for Saahdiq Charles.

The Washington Football Team will be down to their third-team right tackle in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

On Saturday, Washington announced reserve offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas was downgraded to out and will miss Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

Washington is already without starting right tackle Sam Cosmi, who will miss his third game with an ankle injury. Washington hopes All-Pro right guard Brandon Scherff will be back in the lineup after missing time with a knee injury.

Lucas will miss the game with an illness and did not make the trip to Denver. Second-year pro Saahdiq Charles is expected to start at right tackle. Washington elevated offensive tackle David Steinmetz and center Keith Ismael from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Lucas, who was Washington’s left tackle in 2020, has played well in place of Cosmi the last two weeks. Charles is making his second career start — but first at right tackle. The former LSU Tiger started a game at guard as a rookie, injured his knee in the first quarter, and missed the rest.

This is a big opportunity for Charles.

The bye week is coming at a perfect time for Washington’s beat-up offensive line.

Washington and the Broncos kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.

 

 

Washington’s Week 3 inactives vs. Bills

Here are Washington’s inactives for Week 3 vs. the Bills.

The Washington Football Team is set to play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

Now, we know what Washington’s inactive list will look like for the game against the Bills.

Washington listed defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis, offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles, tight end Sammis Reyes, defensive end Shaka Toney and cornerback Darryl Roberts as inactive.

This list is no surprise. The only new addition is Ioannidis, one of the most important players on defense. Ioannidis injured his knee in the Week 2 win over the Giants and missed practice time last week. He did not make the trip to Buffalo.

Daniel Wise, who was promoted to the active roster on Saturday, is officially active for Washington.

Buffalo listed the following five players as inactive:

  • DE Boogie Basham
  • DE Efe Obada
  • DT Harrison Phillips
  • RB Matt Breida
  • OL Tommy Doyle

 

Washington inactives for Week 1 game vs. Chargers

Washington lists five players inactive for the Week 1 opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Washington Football Team has announced the inactives for the Week 1 game against Los Angeles Chargers at FedEx Field.

Quarterback Kyle Allen, tight end Sammis Reyes, offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles, defensive end Shaka Toney and cornerback Darryl Roberts are Washington’s five inactive players.

Washington will carry two quarterbacks on the active roster. Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starting quarterback, while Taylor Heinicke is the backup. Tight end Logan Thomas is Washington’s emergency quarterback.

Charles is the only offensive lineman on the active roster who is inactive for the game. Cornelius Lucas will serve as the backup at both right and left tackle in Week 1.

With Reyes inactive, Washington will still have three tight ends on the gameday roster: Thomas, rookie John Bates and Ricky Seals-Jones.