Washington Commanders Bring In Mitch Wishnowsky As An Insurance Policy
The Washington Commanders announced Wednesday morning they’ve signed veteran Punter Mitch Wishnowsky to their practice squad, sending Tight End Lawrence Cager packing in the process. And honestly? Smart move by Dan Quinn and company, even if it does feel a bit like putting duct tape on a leaky pipe.
Why Wishnowsky Makes Sense for Washington
Let’s be real here – Tress Way getting banged up in Sunday’s 21-6 beatdown of the Giants wasn’t exactly shocking. The man’s been Washington’s most consistent player for years, which in Commanders terms means he was due for some bad luck. Way suffered a back injury late in the game after getting absolutely leveled on a partially blocked punt, and suddenly the Commanders found themselves sweating bullets about their punting situation.
Wishnowsky isn’t just some random guy they pulled off the street, either. The Australian native spent six solid seasons in San Francisco, averaging 45.6 yards per punt and proving he can handle the big stage. Dude was the 49ers’ fourth-round pick back in 2019 – yes, they actually used a fourth-rounder on a punter, and no, that’s not a typo.
Here’s what makes Wishnowsky particularly valuable: 44.5% of his punts landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line during his Niners tenure. That’s not just booming kicks downfield – that’s surgical precision that can flip field position and bail out an offense when things get ugly.
The Tress Way Situation Gets Interesting
Way showed up limited at Tuesday’s practice, which in NFL injury report speak translates to “probably fine, but we’re not taking any chances.” Quinn seemed optimistic about Way’s availability, saying the concern level had dropped and that Way “hit the ball well” in practice.
But here’s the thing about short weeks in the NFL – they’re absolute killers for anyone dealing with injuries. Thursday Night Football waits for nobody, and the Commanders are smart enough to know that showing up in Green Bay without a reliable punter would be like bringing a water gun to a shootout.
The fact that Washington worked out two punters on Tuesday (Wishnowsky and rookie Eddie Czaplicki) tells you everything you need to know about their confidence level in Way’s back holding up through a cold September night in Titletown.
Lawrence Cager Becomes Collateral Damage
Poor Lawrence Cager. The guy had four catches for 54 yards in the preseason, was quietly grinding away on the practice squad, and then boom – released to make room for a punter who might not even suit up. That’s NFL life in a nutshell right there.
Cager’s been bouncing around the league for four years, splitting time between the Jets and Giants with a whopping 19 career catches to show for it. With Zach Ertz locked in as the starter, Cager was always fighting an uphill battle for meaningful playing time anyway.
Thursday Night Under the Lights
If Way can’t go against Green Bay, Wishnowsky steps into what could be a high-pressure situation. Lambeau Field on Thursday night, national television, and a Commanders team trying to build momentum after a solid Week 1 performance – no big deal, right?
The good news is Wishnowsky has been there before. Six seasons in San Francisco mean he’s punted in playoff games, primetime contests, and hostile environments. He’s not some wide-eyed rookie who’s going to fold under the bright lights.
Washington’s move here screams of an organization that’s learned from past mistakes. Instead of crossing their fingers and hoping for the best, they’re being proactive and preparing for multiple scenarios. Revolutionary stuff for a franchise that once trotted out Mark Brunell at quarterback well past his expiration date.
