The Daily Slop – 19 August 2026
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
Commanders links
Articles
Commanders.com
Training camp notebook | Nick Allegretti, John Bates return to practice
The Commanders’ defensive front was dealing with some injuries today, as Johnny Newton, Jordan Magee, Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson were all out of practice. Quinn did not provide an update on any of the players but will likely be asked about them on Wednesday.
Brandon Coleman keeps making progress at left tackle. His quick feet and hands have come in handy during pass protection, and he had a solid rep during one-on-one drills against Joshua Josephs. Chris Paul also had a positive rep working against Charles Omenihu, adjusting to Omenihu’s strength and mirroring him with good footwork. Sam Cosmi continues to dominate the drills, stopping Daron Payne in his tracks on a bull rush.
Daniels threw his first pick today, but it was more an opportunistic moment for cornerback Amik Robertson as opposed to an errant throw from the quarterback. Daniels was targeting Okonkwo on the play, but the ball bounced off the tight end’s hand and into the air. Robertson was there to make the play, earning some cheers from his defensive teammates. Daniels didn’t let the play bother him, though, and connected with Jaylin Lane on his next pass attempt.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
A to Z Sports
Washington Commanders lose two veteran players for the entire year before the 2026 season even begins
Veteran running back Jerome Ford and veteran wide receiver River Cracraft suffered injuries during Friday’s preseason win over the Miami Dolphins, and neither will suit up for the Commanders this fall.
Dan Quinn addressed Ford’s injury Tuesday when he spoke with reporters, referring to it as a hamstring injury. That’s particularly unfortunate for Ford because hamstring injuries, while fickle, are typically not long-term or serious enough to warrant an IR designation like this one.
As for Cracraft, he was about to enter his ninth season in the league. He’ll still get the accrued year since he ended up on IR.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Athletic (paywall)
Which Commanders have the most at stake in the rest of preseason and camp?
Safety: Quan Martin and Will Harris
Martin, the only remaining player from the Commanders’ 2023 draft class, showed his potential in his first two seasons, but struggled last year and was benched after the team’s loss to Miami in Madrid. His play in the preseason opener against Miami last week was a reminder of his ball-hawking ability, but the team needs consistency.
Harris, who signed as a free agent last year, got off to a strong start but suffered a fractured fibula in Week 3 and missed much of the season. The arrival of Cross pushed him back on the depth chart and he’s yet to stand out so far this summer. But he’s slightly bigger than Martin and has more experience.
Whether one or both make the initial 53 will be impacted by other positions; will Washington keep five safeties if it feels it needs more depth on the offensive line or elsewhere?
Linebacker: Ale Kaho, Kain Medrano
The arrival of first-round pick Sonny Styles put the long-term futures of Kaho, Medrano and even Jordan Magee in doubt. Magee appeared to be on track to succeed Bobby Wagner inside, but that’s no longer the case — not with the selection of Styles and the signing of Leo Chenal.
Kaho recorded an interception in the preseason opener, but the best path onto the roster for both players is through special teams — and that’s only if Washington intends to keep more than four linebackers.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Sports Illustrated
The Good and Not So Good From Commanders’ 12th Training Camp Practice
Allegretti and Bates both went through individual drills, getting much-needed practice time and 11-on-11 work, with Allegretti also acknowledging he remains on a pitch count for now. The biggest positive is Allegretti and quarterback Jayden Daniels being on the same field again to work together. Getting their timing down is almost as important as the two getting used to one another’s technique; Allegretti has not snapped regularly since college. Bates was able to catch a pass from Daniels during team work, marking his first reception since the early portions of camp. While neither player is fully back yet, it’s good to see Washington working them back into the offense.
With Newton, Magee, Oweh, and Chaisson all missing Tuesday’s practice, things were a bit thin on the defensive front Tuesday. To make things even odder, Dan Quinn didn’t address any of the players who missed practice in his pre-practice presser, leaving that up to imagination until he has a chance to clear it up in his next meeting with the media. At the end of the day, it was great for Josephs, but not the most ideal thing for Washington, who needs their top guys to be ready for the season.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
WUSA9
Brian Mitchell backs Jaylin Lane’s Commanders roster case on special teams
Commanders legend Brian Mitchell says Jaylin Lane’s return ability is enough to justify a roster spot as Washington sorts through its receiver room
For franchise legend Brian Mitchell, the answer that second-year receiver Jaylin Lane provides on special teams is “way more than enough to keep him around”, even if some watching the team question the validity of that stance.
“I played 14 years because of my value on special teams,” Mitchell told WUSA9, pointing out the importance the unit brings to Washington football then and now.
Mitchell specifically points to Lane’s two return touchdowns last season as more than enough evidence of why the young receiver should hold one of the coveted 53 spots on the active roster.
He adds that with an offense and defense expected to be improved from last year’s versions, Lane’s special teams contributions, and those of others like Tyler Owens and Percy Butler, could be even more important as they look to establish solid starting positions for each unit to launch from.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders Roundtable
Underrated Interior DL Draws Praise
The interior defensive line has several pieces looking to stick out under new coordinator Daronte Jones, but the early defensive standout from Friday’s win was defensive tackle Ricky Barber. The former UDFA from last year’s class finished with a team-high five total tackles in the win, production he registered through the first half of the game, in addition to recording the Commanders’ lone sack. Head coach Dan Quinn previously praised Shy Tuttle, who finished with three tackles and one TFL vs. Miami, as a piece that has caught his eye, but Barber’s usage as a three-tech has allowed him to “penetrate and use some of his quickness” to generate enough pressure that caught Quinn’s eye.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders throw a lifeline to Tre’ McKitty to finally fulfill his pre-draft promise
Of course, McKitty was a highly touted college recruit at Georgia, boasting the size and athletic attributes typically associated with productive pass-catching tight ends in the pros. Despite the lack of production with the Bulldogs, the physical profile was enough for the Los Angeles Chargers to take him at No. 97 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, things haven’t gone according to plan.
McKitty couldn’t firmly establish himself in Los Angeles and was released midway through his third campaign. Though disappointing, he found work quickly, joining the Buffalo Bills practice squad and doing enough for another reserve/futures contract entering the 2024 offseason.
The player flashed over camp but was released during final cuts. McKitty has spent time on the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans since then without making an impact. But just as it looked like his NFL dreams might be fading, the Commanders have given him a lifeline.
Whether it can become anything more is debatable.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Trey Amos’ uncertain status is raising alarm for Commanders’ insider
For a player whom Washington is counting on as a piece of its core nucleus moving forward, this is starting to raise some eyebrows.
Commanders fans and media insiders alike are starting to hit the panic button over Amos’ unavailability. Nicki Jhablava of The Athletic discussed the topic during an interview on 106.7 The Fan, and the insider didn’t do much to calm the narrative.
“(My concern) is pretty high at this point. He’s had one practice since November 9, and the season is two and a half, three and a half weeks away. Even if he came back tomorrow, I’d still feel like, ‘Is that enough time?’ He wasn’t involved in the offseason at all.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders Wire
Will Commanders’ Dan Quinn play Jayden Daniels during the preseason?
This is Daniels’ third season in the NFL, and last season didn’t give him much experience. If Quinn doesn’t want to end up on the hot seat this season, he needs to get Daniels some game-time reps against a different team. Forget joint practices; he needs in-game situations to evaluate and ensure his decision-making.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders Wire
4 standouts for Commanders from Day 12 of training camp
EDGE Joshua Josephs
How many times have we heard the fifth-round rookie’s name this summer? He flashed again on Tuesday, making several plays in practice. He only keeps getting better and took advantage of his increased snaps with Oweh and Chaisson out. Josephs began camp as a talented developmental prospect, but he continues to work himself into Washington’s plans this season.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Pro Football Focus
2026 NFL defensive line rankings
The Commanders invested heavily on the edge this offseason, adding Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency after the pair combined for 101 pressures in 2025. Both have been solid throughout their careers, though neither has consistently reached the upper echelon of the position.
The interior is a bigger concern. Tim Settle is the only projected starter who earned a PFF grade above 70.0 last season, and even that came over a relatively small sample of 383 snaps.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Photos
Commanders.com
PHOTOS | Getting ready for preseason game No. 2
The Washington Commanders were back on the field after taking the weekend off to begin preparations for the Detroit Lions. Check out the top photos from the morning.
Podcasts & videos
Commanders Reboot as Preseason Week 2 Begins | JOHN KEIM REPORT
Who plays Saturday ? Will Jayden be out there ?
NFC East links
Big Blue View
NY Giants signing Najee Harris to bolster running back position
Harris, a 2021 first-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons with the Steelers.
He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent in 2025, but played just three games before tearing an Achilles tendon.
Harris, 28, worked out for the Giants on Monday.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Blogging the Boys
Cowboys pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku pulled from Saints scrimmage
When you do something once it is a one-time thing (obviously). When you do something twice though… people start to notice.
Unfortunately for Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku he falls into the latter category. Ezeiruaku was pulled from Tuesday’s scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints for throwing a punch which is never a good look.
The thing about this type of thing for Donovan is… it is unfortunately now a tradition. EZ was pulled from the August 6th practice for getting in a physical altercation so this makes two strikes of that variety.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has stressed that the team needs to be more disciplined this season. Tuesday’s scrimmage against the Saints featured a lot of physical activity going both ways so Donovan was hardly the only guilty party, but apparently he did something that someone in authority warranted an ejection.
From ESPN:
Punches were thrown, helmets were tossed, and at one point, Saints tight end Brock Rechsteiner, son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner, grabbed a Cowboys player and body-slammed him to the turf.
Saints center Erik McCoy tossed a helmet in one brawl, and in another, his own helmet was lost before he and Cowboys outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku threw punches. Ezeiruaku was thrown out of practice afterward for the second time this offseason. He threw a punch earlier in training camp and was sent to the locker room. He and Schottenheimer had a conversation after that dustup, and the coach said he will have another one with him.
To read more of this ESPN article, CLICK HERE
Bleeding Green Nation
Eagles-Ravens Film Review: Thoughts on Eli Stowers, Markel Bell, Willie Lampkin, and much more
Stowers’ willingness here concerns me a little. He looks like he has a total lack of play strength and knows it. On this rep, he is responsible for kicking out the edge defender, but he slows down before contact and allows the defender to initiate the collision. Once that happens, Stowers is driven directly back into the intended running lane. Again, I almost don’t want to blame him because this isn’t what he should be doing in the regular season.
When evaluating tight-end blocking, I am generally more forgiving of technical imperfections if the player demonstrates sufficient physicality and commitment. This rep goes beyond imperfect technique. Stowers approaches the collision tentatively, loses all of his momentum, and gives himself no chance to create any sort of power. It is a particularly difficult assignment for his current skill set, but he still has to attack it with greater conviction.
This rep also highlights the primary concern with Bell, and why he was drafted outside of the first couple of rounds. His height can work against him in the running game because naturally lower defenders can get underneath his pads. Bell comes out too upright, loses the leverage battle, and ends up blocking high. His upper-body strength allows him to survive some of these situations, but he will need to play with better pad level against NFL starters.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
NFL league links
Articles
Pro Football Talk
John Schneider: “Shocking” allegations against Terrion Arnold would have prompted Seahawks to cut him
The third episode of this year’s [Hard Knocks] includes a sideline conversation between G.M. John Schneider and special-teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh at practice, regarding the free-agent with whom the Seahawks have struck an agreement but have not yet officially added to the team.
“If you’re [the Lions], why would you release him?” Harbaugh said to Schneider.
“Well, it was because it was very shocking,” Schneider replied. “Like, if you read The Athletic article, it’s not good, you know?”
“And you would imagine if it was flipped, it’d probably be the same thing here?” Harbaugh said.
“I think we probably would have had to let him go,” Schneider admitted.
“Because it’s just the nature of like — when you’re the team, it’s different than the second-chance team,” Harbaugh said. “It’s totally different.”
“Yeah. I get that,” Schneider said.
The rest of the episode includes some of the due diligence the Seahawks performed, with Schneider making it clear that he spoke to former Alabama coach Nick Saban about Arnold. There’s also a scene in which Schneider and Arnold’s agent, Nicole Lynn, tentatively agree that Arnold will accept an offer from the Seahawks.
That’s not to say Arnold doesn’t deserve a second chance. But it seems premature to declare him ready for one. The criminal case against him is pending. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
Mike Vick, for example, got his second chance after he pleaded guilty to dogfighting charges and paid his debt to society by serving a prison term. At this point, the charges against Arnold are unresolved.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Discussion topics
ESPN
How important is pass protection for a running back? Ask Jaxson Dart
Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. drifted a bit too far right, tried to reverse course and slipped. Vikings safety Jay Ward sprinted toward Dart and leveled the quarterback. All Tracy could do was crane his neck backward while kneeling on the turf as Dart was crushed at the midfield logo.
Dart went through the concussion sideline exam and later returned. That didn’t stop Giants coach John Harbaugh from saying, “There’s no way he should have been hit there. It just shouldn’t have happened. It was a basic protection.”
The preseason play highlighted one of the most overlooked aspects of football: a running back’s role in pass protection. Typically, the glory and grandeur for ball carriers depends on the number of yards and touchdowns they produce. But a running back who can block is invaluable, especially in the modern game. It’s a skill that can secure a spot on the 53-player roster, earn offensive reps and even extend contracts.
What makes pass blocking as a running back unique is that it is one of the more teachable skills in football. The calculation is pretty simple.
“It’s probably 90% grit, 10% technique,” [Samaje] Perine said. “Because at the end of the day, you just have to get in the way.”
“It’s not just about being physical at the point of attack,” Justin Hill said. “It’s also about you got to be smart enough to understand what the different looks are.”
And sometimes, looks can be deceiving. The Giants thought it was Jamal Adams who was going to be blitzing on the play that dropped Dart.
“I didn’t really think I would have a free rush, but our big nickel — Jamal — he sold it, so the protection slid to him,” Ward said. “The back so happened to get ready to go into a route and … he didn’t think he had anyone [to block] and he seen me come late, and he couldn’t adjust.”
BEING A RELIABLE pass blocker and adding value to teams will be paramount across the NFL over the next couple of weeks. As teams prepare to trim their rosters from the 90-player limit in training camp down to the allotted 53 roster slots for the regular season, protecting the quarterback could prevent a running back from being cut.
[A]long with their ability to pick up yards when needed, that’s why Jones, Perine and so many backs have remained gainfully employed. When the rosters are trimmed, many others will follow suit because they have learned one of the biggest truths in football.
“As long as you’re in front of your guy when the quarterback gets the ball off,” Perine said, “then that’s all that matters.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
