The Washington Commanders finalized their initial 53-man roster on August 30 as they attempt to bounce back after an injury-plagued season. For those following Virginia sports betting, Washington will start the season as a 5.5-point underdog against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. Jayden Daniels will have all eyes on him as he attempts to get off to a great start in his third season in the NFL.
Commanders Make Multiple Roster Moves
Washington's front office stayed busy well after the initial deadline passed. Two notable names missing from the first version of the 53 were cornerback Trey Amos and running back Jeremy McNichols, both of whom will begin the year on injured reserve with a designation to return. Defensive end Dorance Armstrong was among the other veterans who did not make the initial cut.
The moves opened the door for a couple of familiar faces to come back into the fold. Defensive tackle Shy Tuttle and cornerback Fabian Moreau, both of whom were let go during final cuts, are expected to return to the roster once corresponding roster spots free up. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn made it clear that the 53-man roster announced on August 30 was only the starting point, with more transactions likely before the Week 1 opener against Philadelphia.
Commanders Add 12 Players to Practice Squad
A day after setting their 53-man roster, the Commanders signed 12 players to their initial practice squad. The group includes wide receiver Jaden Bradley, defensive tackle Byron Cowart, cornerback Fred Davis II, interior lineman Julian Good-Jones, quarterback Sam Hartman, running back Robert Henry Jr., outside linebacker D.J. Johnson, linebacker Ale Kaho, defensive tackle Jeffrey M'Ba, running back Craig Reynolds, cornerback Darius Rush, and tackle/guard Trent Scott.
Washington later added four more names to round things out, including veteran cornerback Isaac Yiadom, along with tight ends Joshua Simon and Jack Westover and offensive tackle Esa Pole. Yiadom brings the most experience of the bunch, having appeared in over 100 career games across stops with Denver, Green Bay, Houston, New Orleans, and San Francisco.
Commanders Place Players on Reserved List
Two players from the original 53-man roster, left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Johnny Newton, were procedurally moved to injured reserve with a designation to return shortly after the roster was announced. Both were carried on the initial 53-man roster only because of league rules, and their placement on IR was expected all along.
Tunsil is dealing with a torn triceps that will keep him out for a significant chunk of the season, pushing rookie tackle depth into larger roles up front. Trey Amos and Jeremy McNichols also landed on injured reserve with return designations, giving Washington some flexibility to get them back later in the year once they're healthy.
Let's Talk About Their Week 1 Opponent, the Eagles
Washington opens the season on the road against Philadelphia, and the Eagles are 5.5-point favorites, according to DraftKings. It's a fitting spot for the Commanders to start, given how difficult this matchup has been for them at home. Washington struggled mightily against the Eagles at FedEx Field last season, but they got the last laugh in Week 18, beating Philadelphia 24-17 in a game where the Eagles rested most of their starters. Anyone using betting apps in Virginia to pick a winner will have a good variety of options.
Expectations couldn't be more different for these two teams heading into 2026. Philadelphia is once again viewed as a legitimate contender, while Washington is looking to prove last year's injury woes were an aberration rather than a sign of things to come. A statement win in Week 1 would go a long way toward changing the conversation around Jayden Daniels and this roster.
