Dan Quinn's disappointing Marshon Lattimore update provides perfect timeline for his first Commanders game

It's been 16 days since the Washington Commanders (7-4) traded for cornerback Marshon Lattimore and the four-time Pro Bowler has yet to participate in a single practice as he battles a hamstring injury.That's not going to change in Week 12, either. On Friday, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn ruled Lattimore out of Sunday's game against […]

Evan Winter — NFL Managing Editor
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It's been 16 days since the Washington Commanders (7-4) traded for cornerback Marshon Lattimore and the four-time Pro Bowler has yet to participate in a single practice as he battles a hamstring injury.

That's not going to change in Week 12, either. On Friday, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn ruled Lattimore out of Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. He is optimistic the former New Orleans Saint will play in Week 13, but said optimism has kind of been the message since he arrived on November 6.

"Marshon Lattimore won't make it back, and he's working hard. Progress is being made," Quinn told reporters on Friday. "There's days of speed work, strength work. [The] good news [is], the work on the side is increasing. So progress is there. And I'll say the second part that I'm excited for him, system-wise, identity, what we play for… being part of that in the meetings and doing the walkthroughs and there's an acclimation period, so to speak, when you go to somewhere new. 

"We'll get there, and we're getting closer to that, but it won't be ready for this game."

Regardless, there's a clear timeline for Lattimore's return, even if there's still a chance he plays against the Tennessee Titans: after the Commanders' Week 14 bye. 

It's not like the Titans offense is beating the brakes off opposing defenses. It's one of the worst units in the NFL and the Commanders defense can certainly hold its own against Will Levis and co. That, and the fact Lattimore's injury is one of the tricker injuries out there, are more than enough reasons to go ahead and rest him up and let him get ready for the stretch run.

The idea of Lattimore receiving a full week to really get up to speed with the defensive system, even more, and add to his health status is the smart route to go. The Commanders are already taking an intentional long road to recovery, what does waiting out one more week against a lower-tiered opponent hurt? And then the subsequent bye, obviously.

And, ironically enough, if the Commanders follow suit with this "plan", Lattimore's first game in a Washington uniform would be against, yep, the Saints. 

Then it would be two crucial NFC matchups against the Eagles and the current NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons, before the season finale against the Cowboys. Those final four games are more crucial to the Commanders' playoff run than an AFC matchup against the Titans. 

It remains to be seen if that will be the case, though.

"It's really more when you're ready," said Quinn. "And if that was earlier than the bye [week], then that's what it would be… I think you've heard me with [Commanders running back] Brian [Robinson] one time saying… you got to make sure these soft tissue injuries are strong: the quads, glutes, calves, [and] hamstrings. So if it's fully healed and able to do all the things, the top speeds, then that would be the marker to go, but not until then."

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