The Washington Commanders are shifting attention toward week two of preseason with the first of two road games up next, but they will also integrate a handful of pieces back onto the roster while adjusting to life without a key veteran.
Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee during Friday's win over the Miami Dolphins with the veteran now sidelined for the rest of preseason. Quinn also confirmed there's optimism that Mariota will be ready for the start of the regular season with no outside signings expected to materialize through preseason.
Mariota went down during the opening drive before drawing medical attention then heading into the blue tent then locker room, leading Sam Hartman and seventh round pick Athan Kaliakmanis to split quarterback duties the rest of the night against Miami.
Yet there was good news after Quinn noted that both tight end John Bates and center Nick Allegretti have made "good progress" as they will work back into the mix during Tuesday's practice.
Allegretti, the expected starting center, went down with a calf strain in the first practice of training camp as the coaches have turned to Julian Good-Jones and rookie Matt Gulbin to round out the bulk of snaps, while the front office has turned to free agency to round out depth after inking Trey Hill and Daniel Brunskill. Yet for a unit that is also working through a reshuffling following Laremy Tunsil's injury, the return of Allegretti allows the offensive line to now gain a bit more chemistry ahead of the regular season opener. Bates fills the role as the in-line blocker after he suffered a hamstring injury during the opening week as well.
Head coach Dan Quinn also confirmed there is no update on cornerback Trey Amos, who suffered an ankle injury one day after coming off the physically/ unable to perform list. The Commanders inked a trio of veterans in Amik Robertson, Rasul Douglas and Fabian Moreau to upgrade the depth, though Amos has a chance to emerge as the team's top cornerback ahead of his second season. Yet his extended absence has continued to cast doubt on how soon that can materialize ahead of his second season. After arriving as a second round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Amos started in eight of his ten appearances before his rookie season was cut short after suffering a broken fibula.
Running back Jeremy McNichols, who has been sidelined for the last week due to a quad injury, is expected to remained sidelined for a “few weeks,” potentially opening a path for UDFA Robert Henry Jr. to steal a roster spot as he battles Jerome Ford.
Washington will now hit the road for the second week of preseason when they face the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Aug. 22. Kickoff is set for 12 PM ET.
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