Losing defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis Sunday has resulted in two more transactions Tuesday by the Washington Commanders.
Washington signed DT Benning Potoa’e to the practice squad. To make room for Potoa’e, Washington released S Ferrod Gardner from the practice squad.
4️⃣ tackles
3️⃣ TFL
2️⃣ sacks
1️⃣ #Pac12FB Defensive Lineman of the Week awardS/O to @UW_Football DT Benning Potoa'e on the Week 1 accolade. https://t.co/gGsavHo34F pic.twitter.com/hOfJD6ODia
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 3, 2019
Mathis was the Commanders’ second-round draft choice in April’s draft. A former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Mathis was excited to be drafted by Washington and to learn from Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.
Mathis went down Sunday on the first play of Jacksonville’s second possession, having torn his meniscus and, after an MRI Monday, was ruled out for the remainder of the 2022 season.
Losing Mathis so early in the contest, inside tackles Payne and Allen were in on 55 and 54 defensive snaps respectively. Daniel Wise (6-3,279) played on 30 defensive snaps inside, and the Commanders were forced to use Efe Obada (6-6, 265) inside as well.
The Commanders brass fully aware they need more size have now obtained Potoa’e (6-3, 290) Tuesday and Donovan Jeter (6-3, 325) Monday. Potoa’e played his college ball at the University of Washington. He appeared in one game for Tampa Bay in 2020 and then again in 2021. Jeter went undrafted out of Michigan, was signed by the Steelers, and played in all three preseason games before being cut.
Gardner (age 25) at 6’1”, 215 pounds, played linebacker at Louisiana. The Commanders were hoping to develop him as a strong safety. Perhaps with the size, they were hoping to see if he could develop into a Buffalo nickel role such as Landon Collins did in 2021.
