The Commanders announced their initial 53-man roster on Sunday evening, but we all knew it was never built to last.
It contained two players destined for injured reserve, with some glaring gaps in important position groups.
The team got right in some ways on Monday afternoon, with two veterans returning to the mix.
Washington re-signed cornerback Fabian Moreau and defensive lineman Shy Tuttle, the team announced. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Johnny Newton headed to IR as corresponding
moves.
Tunsil (torn triceps) and Newton (torn pec) suffered long-term injuries during training camp that required surgery to repair. They’ll be out for months, with no guarantee that either player will return to action this season. Waiting until after the initial 53-man roster was set to place them on IR ensures they don’t burn a one of eight designations to return should Tunsil and/or Newton not be able to come back in 2026.
The Commanders used the two return designations at initial cuts on cornerback Trey Amos (ankle) and running back Jeremy McNichols (quad).
Letting Moreau and Tuttle go on Sunday was clearly done with a handshake deal that they would return the following day. As veterans, they are not subject to waivers and can therefore re-sign with the team. There were surely full-season guaranteed money involved here, considering that base salaries become guaranteed when making the 53-man roster.
Moreau was a mid-camp signing designed to bolster depth. The UCLA product did exactly that in his return to the team that drafted him, and he’ll become the fourth cornerback behind Mike Sainristil, Rasul Douglas and Amik Robertson. With four players in that position group and safeties in Quan Maritn and Tyler Owens who can play the slot, the secondary seems better suited to play a game.
Tuttle’s return gives Tim Settle a true backup at the nose tackle spot, with six guys in a rotational front.
