DThe Washington Commanders entered this season with expectations of building on last year’s surprise NFC Championship Game appearance. Instead, the season’s been a lesson on Murphy’s Law.
Just about every fortunate break Washington got last season has completely reversed. The roster’s age, which didn’t present an issue last year, is showing.
The Commanders haven’t received the same contributions from Bobby Wagner and Austin Ekeler, two key veterans who earned All-Pro Second Team honors last season. Ekeler suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 2 and Wagner, at 35 years old, has lost his range in coverage.
Injuries have also wrecked the offense and hit key positions on the defense, leaving holes in a team that’s reeling after falling to 3-4.
The Commanders’ 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday encapsulated this season’s misfortune.
A Disastrous Day in Dallas
Late in the first quarter, a busted coverage in the secondary and a poor pursuit angle from Marshon Lattimore allowed CeeDee Lamb to rip off a 74-yard touchdown.
A Jayden Daniels rushing touchdown with less than a minute left in the first half narrowed Dallas’ lead to 20-15, but the Commanders’ defense couldn’t hold up, even with such little time left. Washington allowed the Cowboys to gain 79 yards and score another touchdown in three plays.
Washington’s defense struggled last year, but even with a retooled unit featuring rookie Trey Amos, a seemingly healthy Lattimore, and several additions on the defensive front, the unit has looked just as poor, if not worse.
The Commanders also lost defensive end Dorance Armstrong, the team leader in sacks with 5.5, for the season on Sunday. The loss is just the latest in a string of injuries for Washington, though.
Daniels Down for the Count, Again
Through seven games, the Commanders have lost defensive ends Deatrich Wise Jr., Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and Armstrong for the season. Safety Will Harris was also placed on injured reserve in Week 3.
Washington’s injury misfortune struck again early in the second half when Shemar James strip-sacked Daniels. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year awkwardly stretched his left leg, resulting in a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for the rest of the game.
Daniels will also miss Monday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, marking the third full game he’s missed this season.
Washington scored a combined 68 points in the two games that backup quarterback Marcus Mariota started this season, but the veteran looked shoddy against Dallas. His second pass attempt of the game was desperately thrown up for grabs and returned for a pick-six by DaRon Bland. Mariota went 4-for-10 with 63 yards and no touchdowns in his limited time against the Cowboys.
How Can the Offense Bounce Back?
Though Washington has posted over 20 points in its last two games, the offense looks far from sharp.
The receiving corps has been depleted in recent weeks. Terry McLaurin missed four games with a quad injury, Deebo Samuel was nursing a heel injury that kept him out Sunday and Noah Brown has yet to play this season.
Without their top three targets, the Commanders relied on second-year receiver Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane to step up. Both have excelled as returners, but have yet to establish themselves as consistent pass catchers.
If it’s possible, Washington should have a bit of optimism, however.
McLaurin and Samuel could return for Monday’s game against Kansas City, and elite right guard Sam Cosmi played for the first time this season on Sunday. An MRI revealed no long-term damage to Daniels’ hamstring, and there’s a “very real possibility” he only misses one game because of it, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Facing off against the Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions in the next three weeks, Washington will need to be as healthy as possible.
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