The Washington Commanders continue to make moves to upgrade the offensive line in 2023. On Tuesday, Washington signed offensive tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith, who spent this spring in the XFL with the St. Louis BattleHawks.
The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Jones-Smith played collegiately at Pittsburgh and went undrafted in 2018. The 27-year-old signed with the Houston Texans and was waived during final cuts that summer.
From there, Jones-Smith landed in the Alliance of American Football [AAF], where he spent 2019 with the San Antonio Commanders. After the AAF suspended operations, Jones-Smith signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he again was waived during final cuts.
He spent the 2020 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he appeared in three games, all starts. He was released just before the 2021 season and signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. He would end up playing in one game for the Ravens and was released during Baltimore’s final round of cuts in 2022.
In November, Jones-Smith was drafted by the XFL’s Battlehawks, where he’d play in every game during the XFL season, earning All-XFL honors. He parlayed that success into a contract with the Commanders. Only this time, it’s the Washington Commanders.
To make room for Jones-Smith, Washington released offensive tackle Drew Himmelman.
We have signed OT Jaryd Jones-Smith
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 16, 2023
The last time Washington signed someone who spent the previous time with the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks, it worked out pretty well. That player was quarterback Taylor Heinicke.
