The Washington Commanders are hoping to get back on the playoff track Sunday as they face the Dallas Cowboys at home.
Washington is coming off a two-game slide last week, losing back-to-back to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. The bad news is they lost their No. 1 spot in the NFC East. The good news is they own the No. 2 spot. However, with the NFC’s playoff picture coming into view, they’ll have to win more than seven games to be part of that conversation. Dallas will enter Sunday’s game, still recovering from losing their starting quarterback a few weeks ago.
Lattimore Out Again
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn broke the news Friday after practice that fans will have to wait a little longer for the debut of cornerback Marshon Lattimore. “He’s working hard. Progress is being made. There are days of speed work and strength work.” The Washington Post’s Sam Fortier posted a video on X showing Lattimore getting some speed work in Friday, still testing how well the hamstring is doing under little pressure. Quinn said on a brighter note that his onboarding has gone well. Quinn explained that although he hasn’t played, he has done well in the walk-throughs and team meetings. “We’ll get there. We’re getting closer to that, but he won’t be ready for this game,” he said.
Lattimore’s debut remains in suspended animation as he works past a hamstring injury he suffered before joining the team. Washington picked up Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints while trading a third-, fourth-, and sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints. They also gained a fifth-round pick in return. Lattimore came to the team known as a shutdown corner, not having any touchdowns scored on him in coverage since 2021.
His skill set is needed as Washington’s defense continues to struggle in the backfield. For Quinn, he is giving Lattimore all the time he needs to get back to 100 percent. “It’s more about when you’re ready,” Quinn said. “No signal on his hamstring… you gotta make sure these soft tissue injuries are strong.” He added that until Lattimore can show he can do everything at top speed, there is no date of return.
Quinn Dodges Questions on Daniels
When asked how quarterback Jayden Daniels utilized the week, Quinn shifted the conversation to how receivers were excited and motivated about the opportunities to work on their speed and timing. Daniels has been a different player since injuring his ribs a few weeks ago, showing a more cautious step in his game. Fans have become used to seeing him on the sidelines with a warm wrap around his ribs, a sign that healing continues.
Thursday’s 26-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was only the third time he’s not thrown for 200 yards or more. Daniels threw for 191 yards in that loss. The other two times were Week 1’s loss vs. Tampa Bay (184) and Week 7’s win against the Carolina Panthers (6). Add the change in the weather, as many places saw snow and dropping temperatures on Friday, Daniels’ acclimation to the NFL takes another turn. Considering Daniels comes from warmer areas like Arizona and Louisiana, it’ll be interesting to see how he performs. “That’s the one you say you have to go out and go through it… the sideline and heated benches… There’s no way [to learn how to play in cold weather] you have to do it.”
Daniels Looking Ready Says Kingsbury
According to reports, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury didn’t admit to changing the game plan in response to Daniels’ injury, but it was obvious. In the first half of the season, Daniels was scrambling, raking in the rushing yards, and keeping plays alive. In this bottom half? Very conservative, fighting to slide when it was obvious he wanted to run but couldn’t. The second half of the season also has been an uphill battle against better defensive opponents like the Steelers and the Eagles.
“He works really hard, he’s very focused, and so this week has been good to see him back out there going full speed and getting the reps that I think will help us play at a higher level,” Kingsbury told the media on Thursday. A video posted on X Wednesday showed Daniels participating in throwing drills, looking comfortable in his back step and throwing progression.
Final Thoughts
On Sunday, Daniels has the opportunity to restart the excitement of the season by destroying the Dallas Cowboys. If he is “the one” who will bring balance to the Commanders, he needs to prove it with his final test: Beat Dallas. I don’t think the fan base has changed this season. Everyone still has that “He’s good, but he’s gotta beat Dallas” mentality. Do that? Yeah, he’s going to be just fine. The Commanders cannot afford to lose another one. The math will eventually stop mathin’ for them.
