The Daily Slop – 29 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
The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders 53-man roster projection: Help needed on O-line, tough choice at WR
Outside linebacker (4): Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Joshua Josephs, Javontae Jean-Baptiste
*Dorance Armstrong is placed on the reserve/suspended list
The
NFL suspended Armstrong for the season opener for violating the personal conduct policy, which temporarily clears a roster spot. Jean-Baptiste missed much of last season due to a pectoral injury and didn’t show much in the early going of camp. If Washington’s outside linebackers finished camp healthy and available, Jean-Baptiste may have been hard-pressed to get a spot, but Armstrong’s suspension and injuries to Oweh (calf) and Chaisson (knee) — Quinn has not provided a timetable for their return — make it worth keeping him.
Cornerback (5): Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, Trey Amos, Rasul Douglas, Fabian Moreau
There are a number of outstanding questions about this group, none bigger than the availability of Amos. The 2025 second-round pick was Washington’s most consistent corner last year, but a fractured fibula cut his season short and cost him the entire offseason. He returned two weeks into camp but suffered an ankle sprain in his second practice. It’s unclear if he will be available for Week 1.
Washington added Douglas and Moreau to give the team more veteran experience and depth, and both proved their worth.
Whenever Amos returns, it’ll be interesting to see whether Robertson or Sainristil shifts inside to the slot.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Bullock’s Film Room
Washington Commanders Initial 53-man Roster Projection
[There are] two factors in deciding to keep three quarterbacks for me. The first is the injury Marcus Mariota suffered in the preseason opener against Miami. It’s expected he’ll be back in time for the opening game of the season, but if there’s any sort of setback or delay in that return, then you need a third quarterback. Even if he is healthy enough to play, he hasn’t practiced in weeks so he might be lacking sharpness. So it feels wise to keep a third quarterback on the roster just in case.
But the second and more prominent reason to keep a third quarterback is Kaliakmanis’ performances. He’s played so well so far in the preseason that I think he’s earned a spot on the 53. I know a lot of fans will speculate about another team claiming him if they cut him and try to stash him on the practice squad, but I don’t think that would be so much of a risk. If you’re looking for a quarterback during roster cut down day, it’s either because your starter or back up is injured. If you need a starter, you’re searching around the NFL for a more established player than Kaliakmanis and probably trying to trade for him. If you need a back up, you’re likely looking for someone with familiarity in your system that can come in and be ready to go right away. It’s pretty rare that you see teams claim a rookie quarterback that they could have drafted with any pick higher than 223rd overall pick a few months ago.
So I do think if Washington really wants to save a roster spot and stash Kaliakmanis on the practice squad, where he can still be designated as the emergency third quarterback on game day, then I think they’d probably manage to do it without anyone claiming him. But based on his preseason performances so far (obviously he could have a terrible outing against Baltimore tonight and change the equation here), I think he’s earned his spot on the 53. If you subscribe to the theory of just keeping your best 53 players, I think Kaliakmanis has been one of their best 53. That would lead me to rewarding that performance level with a roster spot.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders Roundtable
Projecting Commanders depth chart after preseason
WR (6): Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, Dyami Brown, Jaylin Lane, Treylon Burks
Skinny: Luke McCaffrey was the lone one from the [‘likely to make it’] group who played on Friday night, with just one catch to show for it — a humbling showing in a potential final audition. Friday’s showing dropped the number of wide receivers from seven to six, though whether Washington does ultimately find a trade suitor as some have speculated could be worth tracking.
TE (4): Chig Okonkwo, John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Colson Yankoff
Skinny: the top of the room is clear with Okonkwo now anchoring the room while Bates returns as the in-line blocker and Sinnott as a secondary receiving threat. Yet with an offense that’s expected to feature two tight end sets, coupled with a strong offseason, Yankoff could be another piece in the room.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders’ final 53-man roster prediction after intense preseason battles
Defensive Line (5): Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, Tim Settle Jr., Charles Omenihu, Ricky Barber
The Washington Commanders were dealt another blow on their defensive front after Johnny Newton suffered a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery, ending any hopes of his breakout campaign. Daronte Jones will have to make the best of a bad situation, and it places even more pressure on the starting trio to stay healthy.
Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and free-agent signing Tim Settle Jr. have the scope to be productive. Charles Omenihu offers versatility and proven production. Deatrich Wise Jr. would have been the call, but he hasn’t practiced all summer and could land on the physically unable to perform list to start the season, paving the way for Ricky Barber to make the team.
Linebacker (4): Sonny Styles, Frankie Luvu, Leo Chenal, Jordan Magee
Washington’s linebacking corps will be a real strength, or at least it should be. But that doesn’t make it any easier to figure out who’ll be on the team to start the campaign.
Frankie Luvu is moving back to his off-ball role in a contract year. Free-agent signing Leo Chenal fits the athletic, explosive prototype Daronte Jones is looking for. No. 7 overall selection Sonny Styles has all the makings of a franchise cornerstone, even if he is coming in for some extremely harsh criticism on social media right now.
Behind them is the intriguing part. Jordan Magee and Kain Medrano both offer special-teams value, but Ale Kaho has also made a strong push for roster consideration.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
A to Z Sports
Preaseaon game 3: The consolation awards
On defense, a few names stood out. Ale Kaho looked like a player who belongs. He showed up, put in effort, and tackled well. Car’lin Vigers hustled enough to save a touchdown on a chase-down play. Washington is always susceptible to falling in love with a player who runs down a fast ball carrier, and Vigers earned that moment.
Byron Cowart also made a case for himself in a defensive line room full of heavy defensive tackles who somehow gave up 195 rushing yards. He was one of the few to actually get backfield penetration.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Sports Illustrated
Commanders Studs and Duds From First Half vs. Ravens
DUDS
Kaytron Allen
Rookie running back Kaytron Allen fumbled after being peanut-punched by a Ravens defender; Baltimore recovered. Allen carried the ball later in the game and was unable to get a first down on a third and short. Fumbles are never good for running backs, but Allen’s roster spot is secure at this point.
Washington’s Offense and Defense
When you sit 41 players, you don’t expect much; that said, you have to show something, and neither side of the ball showed much collectively, giving up 24 unanswered points in the first half. The Ravens outgained Washington274 to 60 in the first half. A complete failure on both sides of the ball,
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
ESPN
How every 2026 NFL draft pick has looked in the preseason
Washington Commanders
Round 1 (No. 7): Sonny Styles, LB. Styles has been mostly working with the starters since camp began and they have had him wear the green dot at times. In two preseason games, he has played like a rookie still learning to play at the NFL level. He’ll have to adjust to taking on guards and centers when coming downhill, but the Commanders drafted him because of his athletic ability and length. His speed shows up a lot in coverage, from closing on receivers to how deep he can drop. Said safety Jeremy Reaves of Styles: “Man, we got us one.”
Round 3 (No. 71): Antonio Williams, WR. Williams will play early for Washington, though the addition of Stefon Diggs allows him to ease into his role. The Commanders like what they’ve seen from Williams, particularly in the slot. And one coach said he had some “great plays” in the second preseason game at Detroit.
Round 5 (No. 147): Joshua Josephs, Edge. After a strong summer, Josephs will make the team. In addition to special teams play, he provides depth as a pass rusher and is someone to watch as he develops.
Round 6 (No. 187): Kaytron Allen, RB. Allen should make the roster given the combination of injuries at the position and his displays of good vision and power.
Round 6 (No. 209): Matt Gulbin, C. Washington needs depth at center, so Gulbin will probably make the roster as someone to develop for the future.
Round 7 (No. 223): Athan Kaliakmanis, QB. If Washington keeps three quarterbacks, Kaliakmanis would likely be the third because of his strong arm and ability to play from the pocket. — John Keim
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders.com
5 takeaways from Washington’s preseason finale
3. A few standouts.
Despite the issues on both sides of the ball, there were a few bright spots from players looking to get on the roster.
The first was safety Tyler Owens, who is known more as a special teams contributor but has been trying to show his value as a traditional safety. Owens plays with physicality, and he showed that off with a hit on Adam Randall near the goal line to force a second down. He also took down Rasheen Ali for a two-yard gain in the second quarter.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders Wire
5 takeaways from Commanders’ ugly preseason loss to Ravens
No defensive back earned a roster spot
When Washington sat veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau on Friday night, it felt like the Commanders had already decided which five cornerbacks they were keeping on the 53: Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, Rasul Douglas and Moreau. We’ve made the case for Antonio Hamilton Sr., while others have made separate cases for Car’lin Vigers and Darius Rush. So, if we’re determining which player belongs on the 53-man roster based on the Baltimore game, none of them do. Hamilton didn’t have a bad night, but Vigers and Rush did. It feels like after the release of Will Harris, Peters already has his mind made up about which five cornerbacks and five safeties he’s keeping. It was a bad night for Washington’s secondary.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Photos
Commanders.com
PHOTOS | Commanders vs. Ravens | preseason Week 3
NFL league links
Articles
Pro Football Talk
New Seahawks owner Vinod Khosla bristles at reaction to his Steelers fandom
Khosla has bristled at the criticism of the relevant comments from his first press conference after the sale of the team was approved.
“Reporters will make every molehill into a mountain just to get column inches to write or video minutes,” Khosla said on Twitter. “What’s wrong with admitting my 1976-78 period in Pittsburgh (CMU) got me excited about the NFL? I still watch their games doesn’t mean I won’t unconditionally ALWAYS as owner, want the [Seahawks] to win and have every edge up, EVERY TIME over every other team!!!! Zero questions!!! At the other end is a set of teams I always want to lose every advantage. But happy to have the sports writer getting more column inches and fill their pages. You are welcome. Apologies in advance for my very transparent style.”
Khosla’s message appears over a reposting of a tweet from Barstool Sports with this observation: “What not to do during your opening press conference as the new Seahawks owner? Reveal you’ve been a Steelers fan your whole life and still watch all of their games.”
Of course he’s now fully aligned with the Seahawks. The point isn’t that he was a Steelers fan. It’s that he decided, without prompting, to tell the world that he was and still is a Steelers fan, and that he still watches all of their games.
“So, actually, I was originally, and still am, a big Steelers fan also — a little-known fact — but I still watch all the Steelers games, too.”
That’s what he said. No one put words in his mouth. No one was grilling him over the legitimacy of his commitment to the Seahawks, and no one is. The reaction came from the basic reality that it probably wasn’t the best thing to wear on his sleeve in the first press conference as the owner of the Seahawks.
And it wasn’t just, you know, the rest of the world that came to that conclusion. Watch the video. Khosla’s son, Neal, had just enough of a crack in his poker face to reveal that he was thinking something like, “Dad. Don’t.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Discussion topics
ESPN
Why more NFL teams than ever are using GoPros on their QBs
The Commanders are one of six teams — along with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots — that have equipped the tiny, mountable devices on their quarterbacks’ helmets this summer. The reasons vary: In some cases, it’s for the vision the camera provides, which helps coaches and players see each play from the quarterback’s vantage point. In others, the value is in giving coaches a peek into the communication taking place on the field, helping them get deeper insight into how QBs and other players — such as the center making protection calls — are communicating at the line and in the huddle. The cameras have even been experimented with on defense.
Washington, particularly, has found the camera useful to gauge Daniels’ comfort level and progress in new offensive coordinator David Blough’s system, but others haven’t seen the need for the technology. The Kansas City Chiefs, for example, have never used a GoPro on their quarterbacks. Instead, coach Andy Reid stands roughly 10 yards behind the offense during 7-on-7 and full-team sessions.
Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota is entering his 12th NFL season. He said he has been open to using a GoPro for the first time. He cited his background playing at the University of Oregon, where they were “always pushing the envelope.”
Mariota agrees on the audio benefits, but, like Daniels, also sees limitations with the visual element. He said it shows a wider range of vision than he sees on the field. Sometimes he’ll be asked if he saw how a linebacker or corner was situated because the GoPro picked it up.
“You’re like, not really because I’m kind of facing a different way,” Mariota said. “So you’re not getting the full picture necessarily.”
Blough said Daniels has improved at calling plays, especially as he grew more comfortable with the new terminology. “If you don’t call a play with conviction, it’s like, are you asking me or telling me?” Blough said. “So he can walk in the huddle and say, ‘Hey, Brown left F right sprint right GX corner H flat.’ And he can point to people and you can see all of that. You can see people’s reactions. You can [hear] the questions that people ask. And so it’s very valuable in that aspect.”
Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach D.J. Williams heard something that resonated with him after listening to quarterback Jayden Daniels call a play in the huddle.
It was … singing.
As Daniels surveyed the defense at the line of scrimmage, he was crooning along to the song “Here We Go Now” blasting over the practice facility’s loudspeaker.
Then, he called out the cadence, took the snap and delivered a strike to third-year receiver Luke McCaffrey for a touchdown. Williams saw the completion live, but he heard the rest later while rewatching practice thanks to what was attached to Daniels’ helmet: a GoPro camera.
“He was bobbing his head, singing the song and then he said ‘hut’ and made the play,” Williams said.
Blough loved what he heard on the play. Not the quality of Daniels’ singing voice, but the glimpse into an even deeper level of his evolution in the offense.
“He was relaxed,” Blough said. “It told me that he was in the zone.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
