The Washington Commanders announced its initial 53-man roster on Tuesday after cutting 25 players and placing three on injured reserve. There were few surprises on who were cut, but for the most part this round of releases went just as many expected.
Biggest name cut: CB Danny Johnson
When Danny Johnson is the biggest name released, it’s clear the roster is set. Johnson appeared in 42 games over four seasons with Washington. He’d carved a role in years past including kick returner in 2020. However, this season, Johnson struggled in the preseason on the outside at corner.
His struggles were laminated when he got beat badly on a double move by Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Demarcus Robinson for a 67-yard touchdown.
The Commanders also cut Corn Elder, leaving the team initially with four cornerbacks. Washington has depth concerns at cornerback, but it appears the team would rather search the waiver wire than to stick with their in-house options.
Most shocking release: LB Khaleke Hudson
If there was any surprising cut it would be linebacker Khaleke Hudson. Washington drafted Hudson in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This season, there were expectations of Hudson possibly filling the hole at Buffalo nickel vacated by Landon Collins.
That opportunity was not fulfilled. Hudson looked solid in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, but struggled from there. Now he is out in Washington.
Instead, the team is going with David Mayo and undrafted rookie Milo Eifler out of Illinois behind starters Jamin Davis and Cole Holcomb.
Fan favorite cut: RB Jaret Patterson
Last year 5-foot-8 running back Jaret Patterson made the 53-man roster as a preseason sensation. The running back room is more talented this year. Antonio Gibson, who led the team in rushing and touchdowns each of the last two years, was on the verge of losing his starting job to rookie Brian Robinson Jr., prior to Robinson being shot during a robbery attempt.
Even with Robinson out to start the season as he recovers, the Commanders had other talented options at running back. J.D. McKissic is cemented as the third-down back. Essentially the RB3/RB4 role came down to Patterson and veteran Jonathan Williams, who is working on his third stint with the team.
Patterson was a feel good story and a local kid playing at St. Vincent Pallotti in nearby Laurel, Maryland. The good thing is he is a candidate for the practice squad, if he clears waivers.
Other notable cuts:
LB Tre Walker
Walker was an undrafted rookie out of Idaho. He briefly quit football during the first week of training camp. But, he had a change of heart and returned. He did well but Eifler emerged ahead of the pack at linebacker, resulting in Walker and Hudson being cut.
WR Alex Erickson
Erickson joined the team in hopes of being the team’s kick and punt returner. That wasn’t in the cards, as Erickson’s kickoff returns were hard to watch during the preseason. Ultimately, it became clear wide receiver Dax Milne was the better option. The Commanders even turned to Gibson after he was displaced as the starting running back.
DE William Bradley-King
The Commanders like their depth at defensive end. They’ll need it with Chase Young on the reserved/PUP list, keeping him out for at least the first four games. Montez Sweat is the star edge rusher on the team and after that, Washington has options with James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, and Efe Obada. But it was Shaka Toney, his fellow seventh-round draft mate, who ultimately beat out Bradley-King for a spot on the 53-man roster.
TE Kendall Blanton
The Commanders are going with five tight ends on their initial 53-man roster. None of which are Kendall Blanton, who the team claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams last week. The Commanders had been decimated with injuries at tight end. But, the team got back John Bates, and Logan Thomas. Plus undrafted rookie Armani Rogers has looked the part.
The only shocker is the Commanders also kept Curtis Hodges, another undrafted rookie, to go with fifth-round draft pick Cole Turner. It remains to be seen if all five are on the active roster by Week 1, but Washington has a plethora of options ahead of Blanton for whatever strategy the team has in mind.
S Steven Parker
Steven Parker arrived on the team on Aug. 7 and impressed right away. Yet, it was a long shot for the journeyman to make the roster given the in-house options the Commanders had already in place. That includes Jeremy Reaves, who has been around the team and has impressed more than he has disappointed over the past four seasons.
Commanders also cut:
OT Alex Akingbulu, DT David Bada, RB Reggie Bonnafon, DT Tyler Clark, WR Matt Cole, S Ferrod Gardner, DT Justin Hamilton, TE Jake Hausmann, OG Nolan Laufenberg, OG Wes Martin, WR Kyric McGowan, WR Marken Michel, OT Aaron Monteiro, CB DeJuan Neal, DE Jacub Panasiuk, C Jon Toth
The Commanders placed center Keith Ismael, cornerback Josh Drayden and offensive tackle Willie Beavers on injured reserve.
