Commanders Training Camp Practice Takeaways: Deebo Samuel gets a workload, and key players return from injury heading into preseason matchup
The Commanders need to get right before the preseason matchup Monday night
The Washington Commanders are back in pads at practice today as they get ready to bounce back in their Monday night preseason matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
I wanted to see what the energy and vibes are like at practice following a disappointing showing in the first preseason game. There were a lot of takeaways on social media from the local media on what they saw at practice.
Deebo Samuel’s flexibility is being showcased
With Terry McLaurin absent, we’ve been seeing other WRs getting more opportunities, and Deebo Samuel has made the most of the situation. Samuel had an instant connection with QB Jayden Daniels, and there hasn’t been a single day when Samuel hasn’t looked like his old self.
Today, Samuel was used in different alignments even more and made impressive plays wherever they lined him up. Quinn has called the McLaurin situation an opportunity to experiment with WR alignments, and that’s what they’re doing with Samuel.
Kliff Kingsbury means business
Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury started the day off hot with his press conference before practice. He expressed how he’s ready to see the full offense on the field, but also how they’re unable to without WR Terry McLaurin present.
He took that same energy to the field and had the offense fired up for practice. Many people questioned the hiring of Kingsbury, but he’s been a home run addition.
Important players back at practice
We haven’t had a real injury update from HC Dan Quinn in a while, but we did see two players back on the practice field today that fans want to see more of.
Second-year LB Jordan Magee missed the first preseason game against the New England Patriots, but he was back at practice today and in pads. The next two preseason games can be crucial in seeing what Magee can bring to the defense this season.
Rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt was back at practice today, too, after wearing a no-contact jersey yesterday, and he actually got special teams reps for the first time as well.
I’m hoping we get to see a bigger role for Croskey-Merritt on Monday night after he impressed in the first preseason game.
The kicker situation
Many fans have been worried about new kicker Matt Gay after he missed a 49-yard field goal in the first preseason game, but he’s been back to looking solid in practice. Today, he went 5 for 5 and hit what looked like a 50+ yard kick.
Quinn said after the first game that they weren’t in a position right now to add a kicker to the competition, and liked what he’s seen from Gay so far. His performances in the last two preseason games can help keep him as the solo kicker on the team.
The team needs to come out strong on Monday night against the Bengals, and we’ve already seen better energy from the team, and important players are starting to come back from injuries. We will get a better idea of who is playing with the starters and players with injuries as Monday night gets closer.
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