The Commanders are expecting starting right tackle Andrew Wylie to be ready for Sunday’s game in New Orleans against the Saints.
Wylie suffered a concussion against the Cowboys, sat out the game against the Titans, and appears to have benefited from the extra rest during the bye week.
Cornelius Lucas filled in quite well for Wylie in the Titans game, helping the Commanders rush for 267 yards on 45 rushes, averaging 5.93 yards per attempt.
Some have suggested that Lucas’ play against the Titans was so good that Wylie’s job could possibly be up for grabs. But Wylie is valuable in the screen game and gets down the field well into the second level of the defense. Look for Wylie to remain the starter, allowing the Commanders to use Lucas as a swing tackle.
The other player who missed the Titans game due to a concussion was RB Austin Ekeler. Ekeler will definitely not be back for the Saints game because the Commanders placed Ekeler on the injured reserve list, meaning he will miss four games minimum. The earliest Ekeler could return thus is the season finale in Dallas. However, if Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez continue to play well, don’t expect Ekeler back to face the Cowboys.
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell has battled an injured knee for most of the season. He picked up a sack in both of the first two games but has been slowed by the knee, but he continues to push through, playing ten games this season.
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore appears ready to make his Commanders’ debut against the Saints.
Dan Quinn told the press on Monday that Lattimore was running harder during the bye week, hitting all the markers and doing the required work. Quinn also mentioned that Lattimore has done the strength work and passed their tests thus far.