The Daily Slop – 18 October 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
Sports Illustrated
Commanders’ Final Injury Report: Four Out, Nine Questionable vs. Unbeaten 49ers
The Washington Commanders’ final injury report lists a baker’s dozen of players out or questionable, sure to create an availability problem for Washington facing the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Four players are officially
listed as out: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin), Javontae Jean-Baptiste (pectoral), Marcus Mariota (knee), and Charles Omenihu (groin/ankle). All four players missed practice all week. Nine additional players are also listed as questionable, including Stefon Diggs, Javon Kinlaw, and three safeties.
Of the three safeties, Percy Butler (hamstring) and Tyler Owens (hamstring) missed Thursday’s practice but were upgraded to limited; Nick Cross (illness) was a full participant all three days but is still questionable. All three players missed last week’s game against New York. Quan Martin improved from limited on Thursday to full participation on Friday and Saturday, with no game designation.
Stefon Diggs‘ return is possible; he’s officially listed as questionable. He went from missing Thursday’s practice to limited on both Friday and Saturday. Terry McLaurin has no game designation after being limited Thursday and Saturday and sitting out Friday with a hamstring/rest designation. Treylon Burks was also limited all three days but has no game designation. Getting Diggs back would give Jayden Daniels another option in the passing game after playing without him against the Giants.
The Commanders will also be without Croskey-Merritt in the backfield, but they should have options. Austin Ekeler was limited all week with a chest injury, while Rachaad White went from full participation Thursday to limited Friday and Saturday.
Washington’s defensive front is another area to watch with Omenihu and Jean-Baptiste both out. Kinlaw fully participated Thursday, missed Friday’s practice, and returned Saturday on a limited basis. He’s questionable with ankle and knee injuries. K’Lavon Chaisson, meanwhile, returned to full participation Saturday after sitting out Friday and has no game designation.
There are still a few roster decisions to make before Monday night. Trey Amos (ankle) and Jordan Magee (hamstring) are both questionable and, like McNichols, remain in their 21-day practice windows. Neither can play until they are activated from their respective reserve lists. Lucas Patrick is also questionable with an illness despite returning to full participation Saturday.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Download the SB Nation app Commanders fans, take command of game day!
Follow the action and share every cheer, question and instant reaction with fellow fans on the SB Nation app.
- Chat live during every game
- Browse with fewer ads
- Seamlessly move between communities
- Enjoy faster commenting and posting
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
Riggo’s Rag
Kyle Shanahan knows Commanders must be taken seriously with Jayden Daniels
He’s right to do so.
Daniels returned to the lineup against the New York Giants and didn’t miss a beat. It took him a little while to get on time with his receivers, but when the No. 2 pick in 2024 was in the groove, the G-Men had no answer.
The most pleasing element was Daniels’ mobility. Fans were concerned about how restricted he would be playing with a brace on his dislocated elbow. He wasn’t bothered by it, and he wasn’t thinking about it.
That is an immensely positive development. If the same trend continues, the Commanders will be more competitive.
At a time when the Commanders’ fortunes are teetering, this is desperately needed.
Shanahan believes Daniels can be the very best. His pocket presence and rushing ability make him the total package, and his poise has also caught the coach’s eye since he entered the league.
“Jayden’s got a chance to be one of the better quarterbacks in this league, without a doubt. You take away the running element of him, just the way he plays in the pocket. So natural with how accurate he is. How strong his arm is. How poised he is going through progression. How fearless he is hanging in there and taking a hit.
“He’s got the speed and the coordination to win games only with his legs. He’s got all the tools to be as good as there is.”
High praise, indeed.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Washington Post (paywall)
Time is running short for the Commanders to make progress
Despite the Commanders’ struggles, their camaraderie remains intact. They aren’t turning on one another.
None of that will matter if Washington (1-3-1, 0-2-1 NFC East) continues to fail to execute the details on game days.
The Commanders have been among the worst teams in the NFL in high-leverage situations. They’ll be heavy underdogs against the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Monday night in Santa Clara, California. They won’t have a chance unless their ineptitude in “winning time moments,” as Quinn calls them, changes.
In the last five minutes of first halves this season, they’re 17th in the NFL in point margin. Looking at the last five minutes of regulation — and overtime — they’re tied for 22nd. And the fourth quarter has been a disaster — they’ve been outscored by 18 points (tied for 28th).
The Commanders haven’t been able to extend drives or get off the field on third and fourth downs. They’ve converted just 31.9 percent of their third-down attempts (29th) and 57.1 percent of their fourth-down attempts (15th). Meanwhile, they’ve allowed opponents to convert 43.3 percent of their third downs (24th) and 75 percent of their fourth downs (26th).
In the red zone, Washington has been unable to maximize its opportunities or keep opponents out of the end zone. Its offense has scored touchdowns on merely 50 percent of red-zone possessions (tied for 25th). Its defense has allowed touchdowns on 83.3 percent of red-zone possessions (worst in the league).
From both a coaching and player perspective, they’ve been significantly outdone by their opponents in all of those areas. To make matters worse, they’ve also fallen victim to self-inflicted miscues.
The Commanders are averaging 7.8 accepted penalties per game (tied for 19th), which has cost them 58.6 penalty yards per game (14th). Many of those penalties have been committed before the snap on offense. Some of that was expected with Blough being a first-time play caller. But by this point, they should have grown out of that.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders.com
Practice notes | Commanders looking to play more consistently in second half
Situational football and clock management have been the two hot topics at the Washington Commanders’ facility this week, but they are not the only things they are trying to fine-tune before their matchup with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.
It’s something defensive coordinator Daronte Jones and the Commanders are determined to fix.
“Let’s just reset,” Jones said. “Let’s just take a deep breath and focus on our technique and our footwork and our eye placement and just do those things we were doing in the first half.”
For one half, at least, the Commanders have shown it is possible for them to match up well with San Francisco. However, it will take a complete effort to upset the 49ers on the road, and the Commanders know that.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Sports Illustrated
Commanders Mailbag: How Much Should Washington Gamble on a One-Win Team?
Hey Phil, I keep seeing Daron Payne’s name in trade rumors, but nobody is running away with the NFC East. Would you really trade him if Washington is still close to the division lead? I understand wanting to get something back before his contract runs out, but wouldn’t that make it harder to turn this season around?
Question from Raymond H. on Facebook
As we pointed out earlier this week, the trade deadline can be a useful tool when needed. The issue is partly what you brought up about the division still being wide open, and partly that Washington has only one win. It’s not worth it for Adam Peters to play the buyer if the team is set for another losing season; they’ll be trading possible picks/prospects away for no reason.
The best gauge would be to see where the team stands after the Philadelphia game. If they still only have one win, then trading Daron Payne becomes a real possibility. The only reason I say that is he’s in a contract year; otherwise, I’d never want to trade someone with his skill set, but he will be looking to break the bank, and the Commanders may not think he’s worth what will likely be his last big payday.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Athletic (paywall)
NFL Week 6 ATS picks
Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) | 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ABC/ESPN
The 49ers have failed to cover only once, when they went through the motions and beat an overmatched Cardinals team by 6 in Week 3. They just beat the hated Seahawks in Seattle and now host a team that has been laughed at all week for running the clock out for a tie. Yup. Niners by 6.
The pick: Commanders
Upset special (spread of at least 3 points): Good news: We’re not taking the Eagles for a third straight week. We were so close and yet so far. We’ll double down on the Jets to win straight up at +270.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Podcasts & videos
HC Dan Quinn Previews Commanders Vs. 49ers Monday Night Matchup | Commanders | The Gameplan | NFL
NFC East links
Bleeding Green Nation
Jalen Hurts to injured reserve among four Eagles roster moves
By going on IR due to his “superficial blood clot,” Hurts is now out for at least the Eagles’ next four games:
- Week 6 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 7 vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Week 8 at Washington Commanders
- Week 9 vs. New York Giants
The Eagles then have a bye in Week 10. The earliest Hurts could possibly return is for the Eagles’ Week 11 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In the meantime, the Eagles will roll with Tanner McKee as their starting quarterback. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares in his first-ever extended NFL action. Cole Payton will likely be the backup for Week 6 since Joe Milton III only joined the team on Friday. To be determined if Milton will eventually overtake Payton or if he’ll just be the emergency third quarterback option.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Athletic ponders if this could lead to a Philly roster tear down:
If the losses pile up, you’ll begin hearing Philly’s big names in trade discussions, whether general manager Howie Roseman intends to deal them or not. I have had team executives already float whether the Eagles would/could/should part with running back Saquon Barkley and cornerback Riq Woolen. Offensive guard Landon Dickerson wondered aloud this week whether he’s in the team’s future plans.
What becomes of Hurts’ and the Eagles’ partnership after this season appears complicated. The two sides did not renegotiate his contract this offseason, three years after his $255 million extension. A franchise that typically does big deals earlier than most teams, the Eagles have Hurts under contract for just two more years, and this season was viewed as critical to determining which way things would go.
To read more of this article from The Athletic, CLICK HERE
Blogging the Boys
Cowboys state of the roster: Any way to fix this mess?
The Front Seven – High hopes, hard landing
The Cowboys brought in five free agents and invested three draft picks to improve the front seven. The results so far have been more than disappointing.
The defensive interior was supposed to be the jewel of the defense, but that was then and this is now.
Today, the Cowboys may be best served by moving LT Overton outside more, and perhaps Rashan Gary inside more – or just give James Houston or Tyrus Wheat a chance outside whenever they are healthy. Can’t get any worse on the right side right now.
And at linebacker, the Cowboys only have hope left: the swift and healthy return of DeMarvion Overshown.
Trade/Free Agency acquisitions – Getting the Wish.com version
The eight players brought in from the outside had a hugely disappointing start to the season in Dallas.
Two hits on backup players among 10 acquisitions. I’m sorry, but that calls into question the entire pro scouting department. It won’t help now, but that pro scouting division needs to see some heads roll at the end of the season and a lot of new faces.
Other than that, Joey Porter Jr. at least brings the promise of a scheme change.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Big Blue View
New York Giants mailbag: Cam Skattebo, ‘peanut punch’, more questions
Robert Stolzenberger asks: A lot has been made, rightfully, about the Commanders’ poor deciding and executing at the end of OT in game 5. But wouldn’t it have been much safer and smarter for the Giants to have tried the field goal on 2nd down (I think it was) instead of handing it off to Skattebo for a couple of more yards up the middle? They were already inside the 25 yard line and any score would have won the game immediately. Winston had been on fire and the Washington defense was pretty grabby already on every play. Seems to me I recall Parcells and other team’s coaches not waiting for 4th down or taking more time off the clock in similar situations — rather just get it over with. Also, who would make that call, the OC or Harbaugh? We should be 4-1.
Ed says: Robert, no. Stay with me, and I will explain.
Skattebo ran for 5 yards and a first down right before the overtime two-minute warning. So, what you are asking is if the Giants should have simply kicked the field goal on first down coming out of the two-minute warning. Now, of course if the Giants make the kick there they win the game, Both teams had already possessed the ball once.
But … there is always a’but’.
Remember that placekicker Dominic Zvada missed three of five field-goal tries in the game, and had already missed from 46 yards during overtime. Washington had already used its two allotted timeouts in overtime.
Yes, if you make the kick there you win the game. If you miss, though, you are handing the ball to Washington at about the 32-yard line with 1:50 to play. They have plenty of time to go down the field and kick a game-winning field goal, even without timeouts. We saw that play out. Had the Commanders not screwed up the clock management they moved down the field after the fumble and had plenty of time to get off a makeable field-goal try.
The idea is to run the ball twice, maybe three times and work the clock down so that the game-winning field goal try by Zvada would be the final play of the game. That way, you take away any chance Washington has of winning the game.
Here is how Harbaugh explained it Sunday night:
“The idea was to run it twice, and then run it down, get as close as we could, protect the football, which we talked about numerous times, and then run it down and take the knee. So in case he doesn’t make the field goal, there’s no time for them to come back and get the field goal. That’s the strategy.”
It was absolutely the proper way to play the situation. If Skattebo does his job, the Giants leave the Commanders with no opportunity to win. The only other way to do it is to take a knee three straight times, but that does result in moving the ball back a bit.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Upcoming opponent – 49ers
Commanders next game is on the road on Monday Night Football vs the San Francisco 49ers
ESPN
49ers rule out Bosa for Monday, still hopeful for Evans, Juszczyk
Asked about Evans’ status for the game, Shanahan said, “We’ll know on Monday,” though it’s worth noting that Evans has already played in games this year after missing practices during the week with injury.
As for Juszczyk, he has no injury designation and will return from the knee sprain and bone bruise he suffered in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos. That injury was initially expected to keep Juszczyk out for two to three weeks, but he recovered quickly and was a full participant in practice Friday and Saturday after he was limited Thursday.
“It looked bad at the beginning, and they said they thought it would be three weeks,” Shanahan said. “Juice has always been fast every time he’s ever been hurt, but this was really impressive.”
Elsewhere on the injury report, the 49ers ruled out receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), safety Marques Sigle (ankle) and linebacker Garret Wallow (hamstring). Defensive tackle Gracen Halton (quadricep), safety Siran Neal (neck), cornerback Upton Stout (shoulder), defensive lineman Mykel Williams and wideout Christian Kirk (calf) join Evans with questionable designations.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Niners Nation
How to attack the Commanders
Washington is 8th in run defense but 29th in pass defense. However, they are not doing as well against the run, now that Leo Chenal went on IR, while CB Trey Amos will be returning to help with the pass defense.
Maybe the best strategy would be to present a balanced attack. Then the defense has to guard against both the run or pass. Purdy should just take what the defense gives him, and he should make the defense to pick their own poison.
Purdy should invite the blitz, then roll away from which side the blitzer comes from. CMC should never stay in and block. He should swing out wide, so he gives Purdy a quick, easy safety valve. That way, Purdy gets rid of the football before the blitzer can get to him.
The Giants certainly had big plays after fooling the defense, so I hope Purdy runs many option plays, with fakes and misdirections.
One play I would like to see, and think could result in a TD, is for Purdy to fake left, fake right, then hit Kittle over the middle.
[Bill-in-Bangkok: While the analysis offered in this FEED post is…unsophisticated, I was saved the need to offer any constructive feedback by Hogs Haven regular, Rebel Yell, who wrote a pulitzer-worthy comment in response:]
RebelYell
FWIW Chenal wasn’t starting for us except when Luvu was injured for a couple of weeks, and losing him hasn’t affected our run defense much if at all. The Giants tried to run it last week and we stonewalled them for the entire first half. Then they started throwing and we gave up touchdown after touchdown.
Our secondary has had three problems.
1. Mike Sainristil has been a disaster. He is the worst DB in the league. Anytime Purdy sees a jersey with ‘0’ on it, he should just throw it there – it’s a guaranteed completion with a high chance of being a TD. The only good news from a Redskins perspective is that second year player Amos (started last year and was projected to star this year during the preseason) has finally returned from injuries so maybe Sainristil won’t see the field at all. That said who knows what to expect from a second year CB who played half a season last year and has been out since November with a broken leg?
- We don’t have a deep safety. We have a couple of guys who can play strong safety, and a fast guy who ought to be able to play deep but can’t figure out where he’s supposed to be and can’t tackle.
- We’ve had problems with some of the guys knowing their responsibilities. This is improving but was still an issue last week.
In terms of plays which will work – we can’t cover any tight end, let alone Kittle. Purdy won’t have to fake left, fake right or anything like that. He can just stand there and stare Kittle down, even point at him if he likes so we know where he’s throwing it before sailing a gentle, looping pass somewhere in Kittle’s vicinity. That’s all you need to complete a tight end pass against us.
No I don’t think you have to worry about scoring on us at all. What you do have to worry about, if you have to worry at all, is Jayden having a day. He’s looked special again this year and he’s capable of winning a game all by himself. If you lose it’ll be because Jayden went off on you – no other reason.
NFL league links
Articles
Pro Football Talk
As NFL prepares to stage Steelers-Saints in Paris, local unrest intensifies
On Saturday, more than 1,200 arrests were made after an “escalation in violence” that occurred with roughly 550,000 citizens protesting.
The demonstrations, sparked by concerns regarding conditions in schools and the cost of living, have lingered for weeks.
Said the NFL on Wednesday: “We’re excited for the first-ever regular season game in Paris, and preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France on October 25. As we do for every NFL game, including our international games, we work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We look forward to welcoming fans to Paris later this month.”
If the NFL is going to pivot from Paris to New Orleans (the Saints are the home game for the Week 7 contest), a decision may need to be made soon.
any change in location would become a potential logistical nightmare for the NFL, the teams, and the fans that have made plans to travel to France.
That outcome is still better than having NFL personnel, team personnel, or NFL fans caught in the middle of the mess that continues to play out in Paris.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
2027 NFL Draft (sort of)
Pro Football Talk
Steve Sarkisian doesn’t rule out benching Arch Manning
The 2026 season for the University of Texas is quickly imploding. And it could result in the benching of quarterback Arch Manning.
Via Danny Davis of the Austin American-Statesman, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian opened the door to replacing Manning after Saturday’s 27-24 loss to Florida.
Asked whether Sarkisian considered making a change at quarterback, he said, “I just felt like we didn’t play good offensive football and we’re not playing great offensive football right now. So everything is going to be evaluated.”
Sarkisian then was asked whether that means his starting quarterback.
“Everything means everything,” Sarkisian replied.
If K.J. Lacey replaces Manning, the college career of Peyton and Eli’s nephew would be thrown for a loop. Not long ago, Arch was the betting favorite to be the first overall pick in the 2027 draft. If Sarkisian removes Manning from the lineup, he’d likely take another year before joining the NFL — possibly after transferring to a new program.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
