There were a few noticeable changes to the Washington Commanders’ depth chart Tuesday.
Nothing serious, but a few changes nonetheless were listed as the Commanders head into week 1, hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedEx Field Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
The most pressing areas for Sunday are Kam Curl and Brian Robinson Jr. Listed as the starting strong safety, Curl injured his thumb against the Chiefs in the second preseason game and is in a cast. If Curl needs another week for the thumb to heal, Darrick Forrest is listed as next-man-up at strong safety.
Robinson had locked up the starting running back spot, but with his having been shot in a carjacking attempt, he will not be playing the first four games. Antonio Gibson returns again as the starter. J.D. McKissic and Jonathan Williams will give Gibson relief.
Also of concern, Logan Thomas is still listed as the first Commanders’ tight end, though there has yet to be an announcement that Thomas will be ready for action Sunday in the opener. We should know more after the daily injury reports this week.
When the Commanders go with 3 receivers, the top three listed are Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson. They are backed up by Dyami Brown, Cam Sims and Dax Milne. Milne has been updated to both the top punt returner and kick returner. Gibson is listed as the second kick returner and Dotson as the second punt returner.
For those concerned that Chase Roullier is listed as the only center on the depth chart, guard Wes Schweitzer can also play center and would be the second center if Roullier is injured.
Defensively, there were three updates to the depth chart since the original 53-man roster was announced. Washington had claimed linebacker Jon Bostic and corners Rachad Wildgoose and Tariq Castro-Fields. All three are listed as backups at their respective positions.
James Smith-Williams remains a starting defensive end until Chase Young can return to the lineup after missing a minimum of the first four games. Shaka Toney is listed to back up Smith-Williams.
Finally, it can’t be overlooked that the Commanders must replace both starting guards (Ereck Flowers and Brandon Scherff) from the 2021 season. The updated depth chart lists Andrew Norwell (LG) and Trai Turner (RG) to be the starters with rookie Chris Paul (LG) and Wes Schweitzer (RG) the guard backups.
