Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes had a rough 2024 season opener.
Getting beat in coverage several times was bad enough, but then Forbes was called for not one but two penalties on the same play. He was then benched and or injured for the remainder of the game.
Following the game, Forbes had an X-ray, but the word was that it was not serious. Sure enough, Forbes had a splint on his thumb, but he was out there working at practice on Wednesday.
“We’re working really hard to develop him,” expressed Dan Quinn at his presser Wednesday. Would he want some plays back? You bet. But I’d also say this is a young player we’re developing and working with him. He’s improving, and going to improve.”
With the 16th pick in the 2023 #NFLDraft, the Commanders select Emmanuel Forbes 🫡 pic.twitter.com/8hhASuyGSc
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2023
While Benjamin St-Juste was battling Mike Evans for much of the opener, Forbes continues to play well below the standards of what the 16th overall selection in the draft should be. Rookie Mike Sainristil was also given a rude introduction to the NFL by the Bucs.
It was also surprising Michael Davis, whom the Commanders signed as a veteran free agent, literally saw zero snaps at corner against the Bucs. I thought Davis was going to be spelling Forbes, keeping them both fresh and stronger at the game’s end. But no, Davis only saw special teams action.
This raises a question. Does defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. see Davis as too high a risk to play corner in the game? After seeing how Forbes struggled against the Bucs, might Davis be called upon more this week? Then again, if Forbes’ wrist is giving him problems during the game, does Whitt turn to Davis anyway?
This leads us to Noah Igbinoghene. He played 28 snaps at corner (44%) against Tampa Bay. He also made one of only two plays for the Commanders defense on Sunday where a pass was actually defended. This occurred when he was in very tight coverage and was able to get a hand on a ball, deflecting the pass. St-Juste recorded the only other defended pass. Igninoghene was also with Quinn and Whitt in Dallas for the 2023 season.
