Every NFL coach’s least favorite day of the year arrived Sunday. Decision-makers across the league, including those with the Washington Commanders, had to inform hundreds of players that their NFL dream would be delayed as franchises trimmed their 90-man preseason rosters down to 53.
In Washington, Sunday marked the end of several hard-fought training camp competitions. Offensive linemen, wide receivers and linebackers battled throughout the preseason to earn their spots on the depth chart.
For some, a release on Sunday will be followed by a practice squad invite on Monday. Others will hit the free agent market, waiting for an opportunity.
Around the league, former starters like Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts, Buffalo Bills safety Geno Stone and Minnesota Vikings defensive back Tavierre Thomas received pink slips.
In Los Angeles, three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald stole headlines by abandoning retirement to rejoin the Rams. The 35-year-old agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $30 million, according to multiple reports.
With dozens of now-former Commanders looking for new jobs, here’s where Washington’s roster stands heading into the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 13.
Quarterbacks: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Athan Kaliakmanis
Kaliakmanis, the seventh-round rookie from Rutgers, beat third-year signal-caller Sam Hartman in a competition to be Washington’s third quarterback. The first-year passer flashed pocket prowess, arm strength and accuracy with an increased workload while Mariota recovered from a minor knee injury.
Running backs: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Kaytron Allen
Croskey-Merritt and White are widely expected to shoulder the bulk of the carries during the season. Allen, a sixth-round selection from Penn State, will have time to develop behind them. Jeremy McNichols is the fourth name on the roster, though the team placed him on injured reserve with a potential return designation on Sunday.
Wide receivers: Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, Jaylin Lane, Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey
Washington kept seven wide receivers as weapons for Daniels and new offensive coordinator David Blough. McLaurin and Diggs are the clear starters, with the remaining pass-catchers fighting to become a go-to third option. McCaffrey, Lane, Brown and Burks have all worked heavily with the special teams units throughout the offseason.
Tight ends: Chigoziem Okonkwo, John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Colson Yankoff
The tight end room was one of Washington’s most stable groups throughout the offseason. Blough is expected to deploy more tight end-heavy formations in the regular season, offering a potential breakout campaign for Sinnott in his third year.
Offensive line: Brandon Coleman, Chris Paul, Nick Allegretti, Sam Cosmi, Josh Conerly Jr., Matt Gulbin, Andrew Wylie, D.J. Humphries, Tanoa Togiai
Julian Good-Jones did not make the initial 53-man roster despite working with the first-team offense throughout most of training camp. Allegretti has been sidelined for most of the preseason due to a lingering calf issue, but Good-Jones failed to impress during joint practices and exhibitions with other squads.
Togiai, an undrafted rookie, was a surprise addition to the 53-man roster after showing off his athleticism over the summer.
Laremy Tunsil is expected to start the season on injured reserve after tearing his triceps during practice earlier this month. The Commanders brought in several linemen for added depth, with D.J. Humphries or whomever.
Defensive tackles: Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, Tim Settle, Ricky Barber
Shy Tuttle didn’t make the initial 53-man roster. However, after a strong camp, multiple reports indicated that he could still return to the roster before the season opener. He’d join a group that features Payne, Washington’s longest-tenured defender, Kinlaw and Settle at the top of the rotation. Ricky Barber joins them as a rotational piece.
Johnny Newton, another member of Washington’s 2024 draft class, will start the season on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to address a tear in his pec earlier this month.
Edge rushers: Odafe Oweh, Charles Omenihu, Joshua Josephs, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, K’Lavon Chaisson
Veteran Dorance Armstrong will join this group after serving a suspension in Week 1. The remainder of the edge-rushing stable features four new faces. Oweh, Omenihu and Chaisson signed with Washington as free agents this offseason. Josephs, a rookie from Tennessee, developed a surprising level of polish as he practiced with the first-team defense due to nagging injuries for Oweh and Chaisson.
Defensive end Deatrich Wise will start the season on the physically unable to perform list, the team announced, as he continues to recover from a torn quad suffered in Week 2 of the 2025 campaign.
Linebackers: Sonny Styles, Frankie Luvu, Leo Chenal, Jordan Magee, Kain Medrano
The linebacker group remained one of Washington’s strongest throughout training camp. Medrano, a 2025 sixth-round pick, narrowly made the roster over fellow UCLA alum Ale Kaho. The group is anchored by first-round pick Styles and Luvu, a former All-Pro who will likely open the season as the defensive signal-caller.
Cornerbacks: Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, Rasul Douglas
Trey Amos, the second-round pick from 2025, will open the season on the injured reserve list. He was heavily limited throughout the offseason as he recovered from a fractured fibula that prematurely ended his rookie campaign.
Safeties: Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves, Nick Cross, Percy Butler, Tyler Owens
Martin, Butler and Owens received a vote of confidence last week when the Commanders released fellow safety Will Harris, who was the Week 1 starter last season. However, Butler and Owens have developed into special teams stalwarts, while Martin has received praise from coaches for his adaptability and versatility in the new scheme introduced by first-year coordinator Daronte Jones.
Special teams: Punter Tress Way, kicker Drew Stevens, holder Tyler Ott
Way is the longest-tenured Commander, entering his 13th season with the club as an established fan favorite. Stevens, an undrafted rookie, earned the starting job during camp after outperforming veteran Jake Moody with a strong — if inconsistent — leg.
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