The Commanders will play their second preseason game on Saturday in Detroit. If there was ever a time to get frontline players some game reps, this is it.
Generally speaking, it didn’t happen in the preseason opener versus Miami.
That third exhibition game’s a bit too close to the regular season to create injury risk. Plus, that game in Baltimore comes right after a joint practice. Starters will get work there and then look towards games that count.
That leaves Saturday as the best (and likely last
opportunity) to play some real football during the summer.
Will that happen? Yes.
Head coach Dan Quinn admitted as much before Thursday’s practice. Who will play, and how much? Quinn wasn’t ready to reveal that.
“A good amount of starters will get some playing time,” Quinn said during that Thursday press conference. “I’ll finalize that list tonight, after practice, once I get the overall health of all the positions where we’re at, but a lot of the guys who sat out for Miami [Dolphins] will get an opportunity to get some work in for this week, all obviously different amounts.”
Quinn has been getting asked about quarterback Jayden Daniels’ availability all week. Washington simply can’t afford him hurt in the preseason. Quinn said he’ll evaluate the health of those around Daniels before making that call.
If he plays, Daniels is obviously the most important player to watch in Saturday’s game. Since that’s up in the air, you won’t see him discussed in the list below, despite the fact we’re hedging bets on some of them.
If news breaks that Daniels will play, you’ll see a whole story about it. For right now, let’s discuss these other 10 players (assuming they go) to watch on Saturday against the Lions.
LB Frankie Luvu
Frankie Luvu has received rave reviews for his leadership and on-field tenacity during training camp. The veteran’s often running the show during practice, making it seem possible, if not likely, that he plays alongside Sonny Styles on the interior.
While it’s not absolutely certain, it’s likely that Luvu plays in this contest. Finding old form after a down year in 2025 will be key for him and the Commanders defense overall. If Luvu’s successfully playing his aggressive brand of football Washington will be way better for it.
DL Javon Kinlaw
With Tim Settle dealing with a calf strain and Daron Payne a bit banged up, it’s likely Javon Kinlaw’s the only frontline defensive lineman available for this contest. The former first-round pick is built out of granite right now and is pumped about his role in Jones’ defense.
He has all the talent to be a disruptive force up front, even if his body of work hasn’t lived up to his lofty draft status. Interior pressure is so key in this scheme (and every other). Kinlaw can provide that. This will be a solid scouting report of his progress and fit within the system.
DB Jeremy Reaves
Quan Martin played a decent amount in the preseason opener, in tandem with Will Harris, and fared well in that contest. He had an interception and made solid plays during his time in the game, boosting his status in a battle for free safety spot.
Reaves is the other combatant. The veteran and core special teams player is battling for a larger defensive role in 2026 and will get his chance to shine on Saturday. Quinn said the safeties who didn’t play versus Miami should play the Lions. Seeing Reaves and every-down player Nick Cross work together will be key, as will Reaves’ performance playing deep.
WR Stefon Diggs
He’s buried in this list of players to watch because it’s truly uncertain whether Stefon Diggs plays. Health is more important than preseason snaps for an established veteran who knows how to get open, but…If Daniels plays, I’d bet Diggs plays. If JD5 doesn’t play, hard to see Diggs suiting up. (As an aside, I think the same goes for Terry McLaurin and Chig Oknokwo).
Fans surely want to see Diggs perform, even if it’s a cameo, for a little taste of his expert play.
Diggs took an instant leadership role in Washington, and getting some game reps in could energize the offense and the fan base.
LT Brandon Coleman
Brandon Coleman at left tackle played 12 snaps in the preseason opener, so it’s a safe bet Laremy Tunsil’s replacement will play a bit more Saturday as he prepares for a massive season in his NFL career.
Coleman had a solid game, by all accounts, flashing athleticism and steadiness you want from a blindside protector. Can he do it again? Doing so would increase confidence that the Commanders made the right choice not going outside the organization to fill Tunsil’s void.
LB Sonny Styles
Sonny Styles was honest about his preseason debut versus Miami. He “wasn’t a fan of it.” While the No. 7 overall NFL draft pick played but one series, he surely could’ve done better. It didn’t raise any red flags, however, considering his exemplary training camp performance. Styles should play a little longer at least, to find a flow he wasn’t around long enough to establish in the first exhibition.
CB Amik Robertson
I’m betting we see all prominent members of the cornerback corps in this game, at least for a little while. Amik Robertson has been the veteran leader of the group to this point and provides energy with the way he plays and how he speaks to the group.
Robertson’s an accomplished slot cornerback, but there’s also a need on the outside with Trey Amos still banged up. Keep a close eye on how the cornerbacks operate and where the line up, especially if they’re all working together.
WR Antonio Williams
Antonio Williams didn’t enter the Miami game until the second half, which was somewhat surprising to have several others in line to play before him. The third-round pick remains an important piece of the passing game expected to have a big role during the regular season, but competition’s tight with Diggs in camp, and Williams is battling veterans for playing time and targets.
This is a moment where he’ll need to assert himself some and show he’s ready for work as the No. 3 receiver.
C/G Matt Gulbin
The Commanders will work without starting center Nick Allegretti, who suffered a setback with his calf strain. That leaves more work for Matt Gulbin, a sixth-round rookie who looked good in his preseason debut as a center and blocked well in open space.
Julian Good-Jones has been the first option with Allegretti out. Will Gulbin get a shot at first-team work and a shot to supplant Good-Jones on the depth chart? Quinn also mentioned Gulbin playing guard to expand his reach as a reserve interior lineman. If he plays there Saturday, how does he look? The Michigan State product has a chance to shine in this spot and build on last week’s positive momentum.
DT Byron Cowart
Byron Cowart hasn’t been with Washington long, but the training-camp signing has already asserted himself and been praised by Quinn for his work versus Miami. That comes into play regarding a possible 53-man roster spot after Johnny Newton was lost with a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery.
Cowart will battle Ricky Barber for it, but there’s an opening along the defensive-line rotation that wasn’t there before. The veteran must continue performing well to make his case to stick around after final cuts.
