HEADLINES

Washington Commanders News & Rumors

Commanders Place LB Jon Bostic On IR

December 30th, 2022 at 10:13am CST by Sam Robinson

It looks like Jon Bostic will finish a second straight season on IR. The Commanders moved the veteran linebacker to their injured list Friday, sidelining him for four games.

A pectoral injury will sideline Bostic, who has played in all 15 Washington games this season. It is unknown if Bostic suffered a significant pec injury, like he did last season. His previous such issue cost him 13 games in 2021.

This further depletes a Washington linebacking corps that is already without Cole Holcomb, the team’s top tackler last season. The contract-year defender has been out since Week 7 and has undergone foot surgery. Holcomb’s 446 snaps are still the second-most among Washington linebackers, behind only Jamin Davis‘ total. Bostic, who signed a one-year deal for the league minimum to return to D.C., has been on the field for 263 defensive plays this season.

The Commanders have used the 10th-year defender as a part-time starter; Bostic has started in five of the team’s past seven games and has totaled 25 tackles this season. Bostic, 31, has been with the team for the past four seasons. He made his way back to Washington late this summer, after his training camp agreement with the Saints did not lead to a spot on New Orleans’ 53-man roster.

Having seen game action for five teams since being a second-round Bears draftee in 2013, Bostic has made Washington his primary NFL stop. The ex-Florida Gator has started 40 games for Washington over the past four seasons. Washington also signed linebacker De’Jon Harris from its practice squad and signed cornerback Troy Apke to its taxi squad.

S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Retires

December 29th, 2022 at 8:28pm CST by Ely Allen

Veteran NFL safety Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix reportedly joined his former team in order to retire today, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Clinton-Dix has effectively been out of the league for over a year now and has decided to hang up his cleats at 30 years old.

Clinton-Dix was a first-round draft pick after electing to forgo his remaining eligibility at Alabama back in 2014. In the draft process, Clinton-Dix was often compared against Louisville safety Calvin Pryor for the title of the draft’s top safety prospect. After the Packers did not re-sign free safety M.D. Jennings, the team selected Clinton-Dix to come in and compete with then-second-year safety Micah Hyde for the starting spot at free safety alongside strong safety Morgan Burnett.

Hyde would win the starting job to start the season, but Clinton-Dix would receive plenty of playing time to start his rookie season as a fifth defensive back. It didn’t take long for Clinton-Dix to push Hyde for the starting role, though, earning his first start only seven weeks into the year. Clinton-Dix would refuse to relinquish the starting job from then on, starting every game for whatever team he would play on after that all the way through the 2019 season.

Clinton-Dix played nearly all of the remainder of his rookie contract as the Packers’ starting safety in tandem with Burnett. As a Packer, Clinton-Dix would haul in 14 interceptions, including a 2016 Pro Bowl season that would see him intercept five passes. He also proved himself to be a physical safety for Green Bay’s defense, leading the team in 2015 with 100 total tackles.

After exercising his fifth-year option, the Packers would trade Clinton-Dix halfway through his fifth year in the league to Washington. After playing out the remainder of his rookie deal in DC, Clinton-Dix signed a one-year contract with the Bears, with whom he would nab two more interceptions as a full-time starter. These games in Chicago would end up being the last starts, and the last significant playing time, of his career.

Clinton-Dix reunited with former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas and was expected to take over at safety for the Cowboys after the loss of Jeff Heath. Unfortunately for Clinton-Dix, he was soon passed up by Darian Thompson on the depth chart and released just prior to the regular season. After sitting out the 2020 season following his release from the Cowboys, Clinton-Dix would spend a couple weeks of the offseason in San Francisco before being released prior to the 2021 season. He would be signed to the Raiders practice squad. He would appear in two games for Las Vegas off of the practice squad, playing only on special teams. Clinton-Dix was released in December and spent the short remainder of the season on Denver’s practice squad.

Over 13 months after making his last appearance on an NFL field, Clinton-Dix announced his retirement today, signing a one-day contract to end his career in his original NFL home of Green Bay.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/22

December 28th, 2022 at 8:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are Wednesday’s minor moves around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders 

Commanders To Start QB Carson Wentz In Week 17

December 28th, 2022 at 8:26am CST by Sam Robinson

As the Commanders attempt to turn their bounce-back stretch into a playoff berth, they will move back to their original starting quarterback. The team confirmed Carson Wentz will start against the Browns in Week 17.

Wentz has not started since going down with a broken finger nearly three months ago, and the team rallied behind Taylor Heinicke to reach this point. But as the Commanders try to become the rare team to go from 1-4 into the playoffs, it will be the QB acquired in March in charge of pushing this process past the finish line.

Wentz, who will turn 30 on Friday, is in Washington because of how poorly his finish to the 2021 season went. After contracting COVID-19, the quarterback who fetched first- and third-round picks in 2021’s Eagles-Colts trade performed poorly in his final two games as a Colt. This led to the team blowing a win-and-in opportunity as a two-touchdown favorite in Jacksonville. Jim Irsay promptly ordered his decision-makers to move on from Wentz, despite the high price the Colts paid, after one season.

The Commanders received criticism for giving up what they did for Wentz — a 2022 third-rounder, a conditional 2023 Day 2 pick and a second-round pick swap this year — and not adjusting his contract. But the former No. 2 overall pick’s injury this season will prevent Washington from sending a 2023 second-rounder to Indianapolis. The conditional choice will be a third, as Wentz will not hit the 70% snap barrier — one he did surpass as a Colt to give the Eagles a 2022 first — to move the pick into Round 2. The Commanders had Wentz on an eight-man list of possible QB upgrades this offseason, and while they made a monster offer for Russell Wilson and pursued other targets as well, the team liked Wentz’s 6-foot-5 frame and arm strength.

Despite the team activating Wentz from IR weeks ago, he returned to action as Heinicke’s backup. He spent the past two games as the Commanders’ QB2, being benched by an NFC East team for the second time in three seasons. The Eagles sat him for Jalen Hurts in December 2020, leading the 2017 near-MVP out of Philadelphia. Wentz rebounded to a degree in Indianapolis, finishing ninth in QBR despite facing steady criticism for his up-and-down play, but was quickly sent to Washington this offseason.

Prior to Wentz going down in October this year, he submitted an uneven start that had the Commanders at 2-4. But he did throw 10 touchdown passes in five games to start his Commanders season. And he fared well upon relieving Heinicke against the NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense. Wentz completed 12 of 16 passes 123 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers. Wentz will also have a chance to play with a healthy Brian Robinson and Jahan Dotson; the two promising rookies did not share the field during Wentz’s previous batch of starts.

Washington, which has not won a game since Week 12, is 7-7-1 and controls its own playoff destiny. The team faces Cleveland and Dallas to close the season. The franchise has not secured two playoff berths in a three-season span since Joe Gibbs‘ second go-round with the team, which led to wild-card spots in 2005 and ’07. The Commanders will count on Wentz — their sixth Week 1 starting quarterback in the past six years — to lead the way back to the postseason.

This will make for another high-pressure spot for Wentz, whose through-2024 contract includes no guarantees beyond this season. The Commanders can save $26.2MM in 2023 by releasing him. That would trigger another quarterback pursuit for a franchise that has not enjoyed stability here since the Kirk Cousins franchise tag saga. Heinicke is on track for unrestricted free agency in March.

Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order

December 27th, 2022 at 12:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, much is still to be decided both in terms of playoff positioning and the order of the upcoming draft. Five teams are still eligible to land the top pick.

The Texans remain in pole position to hold the No. 1 spot, but their win over the Titans (coupled with the Bears’ losing streak extending to eight games) leaves Chicago just a half-game away. The fact that the Bears would likely select a defensive player rather than a quarterback with the top pick adds considerable intrigue to the potential implications of them ending up with that slot.

With the Browns continuing to struggle even with Deshaun Watson back from suspension, there is a distinct possibility that four first-rounders which changed hands (including Cleveland’s top 2023 pick, part of the package they sent to Houston for Watson) land in the top 10. Another premium selection would obviously soften the blow of losing out on the No. 1 spot from the Texans’ perspective, should that take place.

The final Wild Card spot in each conference is still being contested by several teams, resulting in a logjam of 7-8 squads in the middle of the order. Several head-to-head matchups will be played out between those clubs, which could lead to plenty of change in their positioning over the next two weeks. The race for both the AFC and NFC South titles will also have a significant impact on the final order, given the average (at best) record each division’s winner will have at the end of the regular season.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2022 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is how the draft order looks entering Week 17:

  1. Houston Texans: 2-12-1
  2. Chicago Bears: 3-12
  3. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)
  4. Arizona Cardinals: 4-11
  5. Indianapolis Colts: 4-10-1
  6. Atlanta Falcons: 5-10
  7. Detroit Lions (via Rams)
  8. Carolina Panthers: 6-9
  9. Las Vegas Raiders: 6-9
  10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints)
  11. Houston Texans (via Browns)
  12. Seattle Seahawks: 7-8
  13. Tennessee Titans: 7-8
  14. New England Patriots: 7-8
  15. New York Jets: 7-8
  16. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-8
  17. Green Bay Packers: 7-8
  18. Detroit Lions: 7-8
  19. Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-8
  20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-8
  21. Washington Commanders: 7-7-1
  22. New York Giants: 8-6-1
  23. Los Angeles Chargers: 9-6
  24. Baltimore Ravens: 10-5
  25. Denver Broncos (via 49ers through Dolphins)
  26. Dallas Cowboys: 11-4
  27. Cincinnati Bengals: 11-4
  28. Kansas City Chiefs: 12-3
  29. Minnesota Vikings: 12-3
  30. Buffalo Bills: 12-3
  31. Philadelphia Eagles: 13-2

Next year’s draft will feature a 31-pick first round. The Dolphins’ penalty for the Tom Brady–Sean Payton tampering scandal cost them their 2023 first-round choice

Commanders DE Chase Young To Return In Week 16

December 22nd, 2022 at 11:41am CST by Sam Robinson

Activated from the Commanders’ reserve/PUP list weeks ago, Chase Young has seen his long-awaited return from a severe knee injury delayed. But the wait appears to be over.

The former Defensive Rookie of the Year will make his season debut Saturday, Ron Rivera said. Young has been out since mid-November 2021, being sidelined by an ACL tear and other knee damage. Washington has played it carefully with Young and managed to crawl from a 1-4 hole into the playoff picture without him, but the third-year defensive end’s return will undoubtedly boost the Commanders’ pass rush.

Young said earlier this week he would discuss the full extent of his knee injury “eventually,” but it is believed he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in addition to the ACL tear, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets. Young will be on a pitch count against the 49ers, Rivera added (via the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala, on Twitter). But the prospect of Young lining up alongside Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne to reform the four-first-rounder D-line that led the way to Washington’s 2020 playoff berth certainly represents great news for the NFC East squad.

Young went down during a Washington-Tampa Bay game on Nov. 14, 2021. The reconstructive surgery on Young’s right knee also required a graft from his left patellar tendon, complicating his recovery from the two major injuries. While dozens of ACL recoveries happen each year in the NFL, patellar tendon issues can be more troublesome. Young, 23, coming back from both makes for quite the rehab achievement, one that will aid the Commanders’ playoff prospects.

The Commanders had planned to have Young ready for their pivotal Giants rematch, but it was determined the Ohio State product was not quite ready. Young and the Commanders were aligned on this late change. Should Young show the form he did as a rookie, he will be in line for a monster extension. However, the fifth-year option — which must be exercised by May — would be a valuable tool to help the team gauge Young’s form next season. Saturday’s snap-count strategy may be the norm the rest of the way, so 2023 would stand to be a better window to evaluate its prized edge defender.

After the Bengals took Joe Burrow first overall in 2020, Washington selected Young. The best-player-available pick bolstered the then-Washington Football Team’s pass rush, which already had four first-rounders, along with Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle at the time. Young’s 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles played a lead role in helping the team go from 1-4 to the NFC East title. Washington is attempting to complete a similar route this year, and it will be interesting — considering Young’s second-year step back (1.5 sacks, four QB hits in nine games) — how the former Heisman finalist looks after this 13-month rehab odyssey.

Notable 2023 Pro Bowl Incentives

December 21st, 2022 at 9:22pm CST by Ben Levine

The NFL announced their 2023 Pro Bowl rosters this evening. Besides the ability to list the accolade on their career resume (plus the monetary bonus that comes from participating in and winning the game), many players had a financial incentive for wanting a Pro Bowl nod. We’ve collected some of the notable Pro Bowl contract incentives below, most via ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter (unless noted).

Geno Smith‘s contract bonus came via a specific incentive that required not only Pro Bowl recognition but 20 touchdown passes, according to Yates (on Twitter). Smith hit that TD mark back in Week 13. The impending free agent is set to cash in following a breakout campaign during his age-32 season.

Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard has a more complex bonus worked into his contract. According to CBS Sports’ Joel Corry (on Twitter), Howard is one step closer to earning a $1MM bonus thanks to his Pro Bowl nod, but he’ll also need Miami to improve in either wins, points allowed, TDs allowed, total defense, interceptions, average net yards allowed per rushing play, or turnover margin.

Speaking of the Dolphins, the organization saved a chunk of future money since one of their players didn’t make the Pro Bowl roster. As Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald tweets, Tua Tagovailoa‘s fifth-year option would have increased from $22MM to $28MM if he earned a Pro Bowl nod.

Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order

December 21st, 2022 at 10:18am CST by Sam Robinson

Christmas Day’s Broncos-Rams matchup will pit two of the league’s most disappointing teams against one another, and the Seahawks and Lions will have a vested interest in this contest. The loser of this game will give one of the latter teams — via the Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford trades — a better chance of landing a top-three pick in next year’s draft.

At 1-12-1, the Texans are cruising home. The Bears are on their heels, potentially set to become the team that selects the 2023 draft’s first non-quarterback. But eight four- or five-win teams reside behind these two, providing some intrigue for fanbases whose squads are not moving toward the playoffs.

The NFC South’s plunge toward becoming perhaps the worst division in NFL history carries draft stakes as well. The Falcons, Saints and Panthers each have five wins, and Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia (via the Saints’ pre-draft trade this year) would see those picks land in the top 10 as of now. The division-leading Buccaneers would see their draft slot check in no higher than 19th. Should one of Tampa Bay’s challengers vault the current first-place team in the standings, the Bucs would see their 2023 first-round slot rise considerably.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2022 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is how the draft order looks entering Week 16:

  1. Houston Texans: 1-12-1
  2. Chicago Bears: 3-11
  3. Detroit Lions (via Rams)
  4. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)
  5. Arizona Cardinals: 4-10
  6. Indianapolis Colts: 4-9-1
  7. Atlanta Falcons: 5-9
  8. Carolina Panthers: 5-9
  9. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints)
  10. Las Vegas Raiders: 6-8
  11. Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-8
  12. Houston Texans (via Browns)
  13. Pittsburgh Steelers: 6-8
  14. Green Bay Packers: 6-8
  15. Seattle Seahawks: 7-7
  16. New England Patriots: 7-7
  17. New York Jets: 7-7
  18. Detroit Lions: 7-7
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-8
  20. Tennessee Titans: 7-7
  21. Washington Commanders: 7-6-1
  22. Los Angeles Chargers: 8-6
  23. New York Giants: 8-5-1
  24. Baltimore Ravens: 9-5
  25. Denver Broncos (via 49ers through Dolphins)
  26. Dallas Cowboys: 10-4
  27. Cincinnati Bengals: 10-4
  28. Kansas City Chiefs: 11-3
  29. Minnesota Vikings: 11-3
  30. Buffalo Bills: 11-3
  31. Philadelphia Eagles: 13-1

Next year’s draft will feature a 31-pick first round. The Dolphins’ penalty for the Tom Brady–Sean Payton tampering scandal cost them their 2023 first-round choice.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/20/22

December 20th, 2022 at 7:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

  • Signed off Chiefs practice squad: LB Elijah Lee
  • Designated for return: RB Khalil Herbert (story)
  • Released: CB Justin Layne

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

Caleb Huntley suffered a season-ending Achilles injury this past weekend, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The injury is expected to require surgery. The Falcons RB made his NFL this season and has collected 369 yards from scrimmage.

While Russell Wilson is expected to start for the Broncos on Christmas, the Broncos still decided to promote a third QB to the roster in Jarrett Guarantano. According to Troy Renck of Denver7 (on Twitter), there was enough interest from other teams (including the Cardinals) for the Broncos to decide to promote the rookie. The UDFA out of Washington State had his first professional gig with the Cardinals before catching on with the Broncos.

Load More Posts