Commanders' vacant starting spot sets up fierce clash of youth and experience

"The Washington Commanders had been lucking out in the injury department last year and at the start of 2025. That all changed in a hurry after their loss to the Green Bay Packers. On offense, running back Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles, and star quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a knee sprain. On defense, starting defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., who was one of the Commanders' key free agent signings, suffered a season-ending quad tear."

"Smith, a 2015 second-round pick by Washington, had four productive seasons with the organization in which he accumulated 24.5 sacks. He then signed with the Packers, where he enjoyed a career-best 12-sack campaign in 2019 and remained a key contributor until being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers before last year's deadline. It's hard to say how much of an impact Smith can make in Washington at this stage of his career, while having to learn a new playbook on the fly."

"After Wise went down, the Commanders were left with 2024 seventh-round pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste and veteran journeyman Jacob Martin as their only additional rostered players at his position. But it didn't take long for that to change. Washington signed Jalyn Holmes from the practice squad and acquired a familiar face in veteran Preston Smith. Smith, a 2015 second-round pick by Washington, had four productive seasons with the organization in which he accumulated 24.5 sacks."

Deatrich Wise Jr.'s season-ending quad tear compounds an injury wave that also includes Austin Ekeler's torn Achilles and Jayden Daniels' knee sprain. The Commanders currently lack a clear starter at defensive end and are evaluating multiple internal and external options. Washington signed Jalyn Holmes from the practice squad and acquired veteran Preston Smith while rostered depth includes Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Jacob Martin. The team could use a committee approach, shift Jacob Martin to the other side, or increase snaps for Johnny Newton and Javon Kinlaw. Smith's familiarity with Washington and his past production provide experience, but learning a new playbook limits immediate impact.

Read at Riggo's Rag