The Washington Commanders took to the field on Sunday in Ashburn, Virginia, for day nine of training camp. After a day off on Saturday, Washington will strap up the pads this week for a few more days in Virginia before heading up I-95 to New Jersey for a joint practice with the Jets in anticipation of their first preseason game this Saturday in the Meadowlands. Head Coach Dan Quinn took to the podium before practice to speak to the media, which included an answer to whether Jayden Daniels would make his NFL debut in the team’s first preseason game.

“There’s been a whole process; it’s not been a secret at all,” Quinn said when asked about what went into the decision to play Daniels. “But a process on how we’re going to go and get guys ready. So the games are important to go and play and get ready. Not just with Jayden but with everybody, it doesn’t mean we would play the same exact style that we may play during the regular season, but being in the game, the officials, the communication, there’s a lot of important elements for a lot of guys, and even as you get into the preseason game, just because you play some doesn’t mean you’re playing all [of the game].”

While Quinn didn’t elaborate on just how big of a role Jaden Daniels would play in preseason game number one against the Jets, Washington’s quarterback of the future will get the chance to debut his skills in actual game speed.

“I just love playing football, so I’m happy about it,” Daniels told reporters. I always knew I was going to play. I don’t know when I’m going to play, but at least I have the opportunity to go out and play, so I’m excited for it.”

In other news, the Commanders made two roster moves: signing DT Taylor Stallworth and releasing 2022 seventh-round draft pick CB Christian Holmes. The addition of Stallworth gives Washington an extra body upfront while rookie Johnny Newton continues to work his way back from injury. According to Quinn, it also allows the team to manage the veterans’ workload in the defensive line room.

When asked about the addition of Stallworth as a depth piece, Quinn said, “There’s definitely, and the term has become more popular as we hear it, ‘load management,’ and certainly for somebody coming off of an injury, we’re trying to find the right levers to make sure what’s enough, how much to push, where to pull back, because there’s certainly some days when you may not see him, but [Johnny Newton] is doing extra fieldwork to keep strength, keep conditioning, so yeah it’s definitely a part of that interior. So thinking long term, with some of the guys, Jon Allen, that we limit him some as we’re going through, so it made sense.”

Washington will head to New Jersey for a Thursday practice alongside the New York Jets, one of two joint practices the Commanders will participate in over the next month. Two of the team’s three preseason matchups are coming as road games, which means Washington will also travel to Miami for a joint practice and game against the Dolphins. According to Jayden Daniels, he’s ready to compete with some new faces.

“It’s football; I’m very excited. I love the game of football. I love playing it,” Daniels told reporters after practice. “I’m very passionate, and I love to compete, so going out there will be a different challenge for not just me but the whole team going against somebody you’re not familiar with, so we’ll see where the cards fall. Know that we can go out there, and we can make mistakes. We try to execute at a high level, but that’s kind of what this time is for, you know, just to go out there and see what we can do, see what we can’t do, trial and error, and move forward.”

 

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