OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Wednesday’s joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens wasn’t the crowning jewel on which the Washington Commanders and quarterback Jayden Daniels were hoping to end their training camp ahead of Friday’s final preseason game.
Washington has dealt with a shaky offensive line that was missing three starters on Wednesday. Guard Sam Cosmi missed the final training session of camp with an illness. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil is sidelined indefinitely with a torn triceps, and center Nick Allegretti is still working back from a nagging calf issue.
It showed here.
Daniels was hounded throughout the joint session. Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and his running mates constantly harassed the third-year signal-caller, flexing their might against Washington’s less established linemen.
“Doing my job with the guys I have: Matt [Gulbin] and Julian [Good-Jones]. They’ve been doing a great job,” Daniels said of his backup center. “It’s been that way for the majority of camp.”
It became hard to assess the rest of the offense. Solid gains by receivers like Stefon Diggs or tight ends like Colson Yankoff were outnumbered by broken plays.
Daniels’ on-field work featured a botched snap, countless batted passes and errant throws influenced by Baltimore’s pass rush. It was supposed to be his final work of camp.
The Commanders have no other practices scheduled until after Sunday’s roster cutdown day. Friday’s preseason finale is expected to feature those battling for a roster spot. Stars like Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin aren’t expected to play.
The Commanders were looking to show their progress. Instead, the practice elicited more questions about the offensive line.
“I’ve just got to do my job at the end of the day. They have to do their job,” Daniels said. “I’ve never wanted to go out there and complain about XYZ. That’s not me. I control what I can control.”
The 25-year-old’s philosophy jumped into plain view on the practice’s last play, with the Ravens blitzing.
Undeterred, Daniels stood in the pocket and lofted a deep pass to rookie receiver Antonio Williams. It hit the Clemson product in stride, letting him glide into the end zone.
“You’ve got to play it out. Gave my guy a chance to make the play, and [Williams] did that,” Daniels said.
The big play — a rarity for Washington on Wednesday — drew a cathartic cheer from the Commanders on the sideline.
“There was a lot of good, but a lot we have to work on,” left tackle Brandon Coleman said. “It’s fixes. We know what to do.”
“There’s no panic. I think the guys up front, they come in every day, they’re ready to work,” said running back Rachaad White. “We’re very confident, very comfortable with what we’ve got. We’re going to keep coming together.”
The starting defense weathered its own up-and-down day on an alternate practice field against the Ravens’ first-team offense.
Initially, Baltimore’s running game dominated the practice. As practice wore on, Washington’s defenders started stuffing rushes. The secondary — outside of a long touchdown from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to LaJohntay Wester — held up its end of the bargain.
While the Commanders’ offense walked off the field with a final touchdown, the defenders scored their second turnover of the day.
In a parallel end-of-game scenario, cornerback Mike Sainristil high-pointed a pass in the end zone to intercept Jackson.
“At some point, we’re going to have to go out there, and it’s going to be no going back. In a game, you don’t get second-chance opportunities,” Sainristil said. “And the sooner you get it right, the better off you are. But I think we still have time to continue working out the small little kinks.”
The final preseason game isn’t for established veterans like Sainristil. It’s a showcase for players hoping to sneak onto the regular-season roster or boost their standing on the depth chart.
Linebacker Kain Medrano, who is battling with Ale Kaho and Jordan Magee on the depth chart, made his presence felt on Wednesday with an interception and a pass breakup. Friday night’s exhibition game in Baltimore will likely be his final audition before coach Dan Quinn narrows the roster from 90 to 53.
Rookie pass rusher Joshua Josephs has already established himself. Quinn hasn’t announced whether the Tennessee product will appear in the finale, but he has shot up the depth chart in camp.
He already sounds like a veteran.
“We didn’t really play up to our standard,” Josephs said, echoing the sentiments of Daniels, Coleman and Sainristil. “But we were going back and forth with them and it was great work. It was great preparation.”
The Commanders, and the rest of the league, will cut dozens of players on Sunday afternoon. Then they’ll shift their focus to the regular season.
Washington opens the campaign on Sept. 13 in Philadelphia.
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