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Washington Post (paywall)
Can the Commanders evaluate for next year? Not if everyone’s injured.
Washington has two games left. Just getting through them would be a success at this point.
[T]he coaching staff and front office believe the final stretch holds value as they evaluate
the roster for 2026. For them to do so, however, they need players to be available. As has been the case for most of the season, that has been an issue.
The hits kept coming against the Eagles. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Quarterback Marcus Mariota, who was subbing for the injured Jayden Daniels, suffered right hand and quadriceps injuries in the third quarter and didn’t finish the game. Left tackle Brandon Coleman, who was subbing for the injured Laremy Tunsil, went down in the fourth quarter with a shin injury. Right guard Sam Cosmi and defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton were pulled late to be evaluated for concussions.
Quinn provided a slew of injury updates Sunday. He said Lane is doubtful for Thursday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. He revealed that Mariota’s hand injury required stitches and described his status as “day-to-day.” Tunsil’s status is the same. Quinn is optimistic Coleman will be able to return to action in case Tunsil can’t go. While Newton was cleared, Cosmi is in the concussion protocol.
At some point, the “next man up” rallying cry provides no hope.
Whatever path forward they choose, the Commanders need stronger quarterback play than what they got Saturday. Otherwise, it may be difficult to analyze the performance of just about anyone on offense.
The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders pondering QB options as Marcus Mariota deals with hand, quad injuries
Coach Dan Quinn said Mariota is considered day-to-day in his recovery, but the team has a quick turnaround before hosting the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, leaving little time for recovery and to determine a contingency plan if needed. Quinn said he planned to discuss the team’s options at quarterback with general manager Adam Peters later Sunday.
Quinn said the Commanders will not consider turning to Daniels if Mariota is unable to go on Thursday or in the season finale at Philadelphia on Jan. 4. Their options are to start Johnson and elevate or sign Hartman from the practice squad to be his backup, or to sign an outside quarterback to be active on a moment’s notice.
Washington Post (paywall)
Hail or Fail: Treylon Burks makes another impressive catch
Hail: Treylon Burks
The Commanders wide receiver, who made one of the best catches of the season in a loss to the Denver Broncos last month, made another dazzling grab Saturday. On Washington’s first play from scrimmage in the second half, he stretched to make a catch on a bullet over the middle from Mariota for a 24-yard gain. Burks finished with two receptions for 30 yards and had a 16-yard catch nullified by a penalty.
Commanders.com
Commanders-Eagles Stats & Snaps
Riggo’s Rag
Jeremy Reaves saw his Commanders snaps plummet in Week 16
Reaves is a maximum effort guy. He’s a passionate locker room leader who leaves everything on the field. Even so, his inability to tackle effectively and overcommitting in coverage have been glaring flaws throughout the campaign.
Head coach Dan Quinn restricted Reaves’ involvement in Week 16. The former South Alabama star was on the field for just 26 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, which is a steep drop-off from his season average of 58%. It may have been due to the matchups, but it’s a clear sign that those in power are not entirely satisfied with his performance.
While Reaves isn’t finding the correct consistency when his number is called on defense, he remains an elite-level special-teams performer. He came up with a thunderous stop against the Eagles to further highlight this fact. Given that the Commanders tied him to another one-year deal this offseason, he’ll remain an integral part of the team’s plans in this discipline.
As for making one of the starting safety spots his own, the chances are diminishing.
Commanders Wire
6 takeaways from Commanders’ 29-18 loss to Eagles
Mike Sainristil’s impact
Mike Sainristil is both a frustrating and valuable player. While he seems to give up big catches weekly, he allowed a touchdown to DeVonta Smith when he lost at the line of scrimmage. He also created another turnover, forcing a fumble on the first play of the game. Sainristil also broke up a key third-and-11 pass to A.J. Brown. Peters and head coach Dan Quinn must decide where Sainristil’s best position is this offseason and help him recapture his rookie season magic. Sainristil is the only player on Washington’s defense capable of forcing turnovers. The Commanders need more consistency. But with the regression of so many young players this season, you have to wonder how much coaching plays a role in Sainristil’s lack of growth.
Heavy.com
Marcus Mariota was leading the NFL in 2 surprise passing categories
Andrew Shaver and Maurice Smith of Pro Football Focus revealed where Mariota top[ped] the league [prior to the Eagles game]. The 32-year-old’s “10.6-yard average depth of target ranks first among all quarterbacks this season, while a league-high 53% of his pass attempts have been targeted past the sticks.”
The 2024 Commanders’ average intended air yards per pass attempt, what Pro Football Reference calls average depth of target, was 7.6 yards. That number represented an aerial attack designed more to get the ball out of Daniels’ hands quickly and rely on yards after the catch.
Mariota’s extended time in the lineup while Daniels dealt with various injuries, before being shutdown for the season because of an elbow problem, ha[d] changed the dynamic. The Mariota-led Commanders ha[d] produced 34 pass completions of 20-plus yards, including six of 40 or more [heading into Week 16].
