ASHBURN, Va. – In training camp, as fans are absent and stats remain untracked, one of the most effective ways to gauge practice is by observing the sidelines. You can discern which team is energized—cheering for good plays and celebrating with teammates from the one that walks away frustrated.
On Day 3 of Washington Commanders training camp, the defense clearly excelled, with standout moments such as Mike Sainristil intercepting Jayden Daniels’ first pass during 11-on-11 drills, alongside multiple turnovers and disrupted plays.
Yet, the offense eventually found its rhythm as well, producing waves of excitement. On a critical fourth-and-1 red zone situation, Marcus Mariota skillfully connected with Ben Sinnott, the second-year tight end who made a stunning touchdown grab, creating a buzz from the offensive side. Soon after, Luke McCaffrey displayed his talent by catching a well-thrown pass despite high pressure from rookie cornerback Trey Amos, resulting in chants of “Luuuuuke!” from teammates.
While this excitement didn’t match the defense’s earlier dominance, it hinted at the potential for growth. With Terry McLaurin engaged in a contentious holdout, these minor achievements at practice take on greater importance.
The Commanders would be reliant on their young receivers regardless of McLaurin’s status, but his absence amplifies the focus on that position. This offseason, they acquired Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers, who is expected to contribute dynamically in the offense but more as a versatile weapon than a conventional wide receiver.
He’s always shown great joy for the game, and it feels like he’s even more invigorated this year as he faces new challenges in a different system,said Adam Peters, the General Manager.
In addition to Samuel, veteran Zach Ertz remarked on his excitement for Samuel’s contributions when the pads finally go on:
“A guy like Deebo can be used in various ways, making him a crucial cog in our offense. I can’t wait to see him in action.”
Noah Brown, another veteran, who previously exceeded expectations while playing for the Texans, also demonstrated his skills. He mentioned that being difficult to cover is essential, especially as he uses his speed and confidence in his routes, predicting either opportunities or defensive penalties against him.
In this competition, Chris Moore and Michael Gallup also have opportunities to prove their worth, offering unique experiences. Moore, recently with the practice squad, is on his fourth team over four seasons, while Gallup returned from retirement to join Washington and looks eager to showcase his skills.
Lastly, this year’s fourth-round pick, Jaylin Lane, is expected to make an impact as well. The situation sans McLaurin mirrors last year’s scenario when they traded 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson during camp, which led to increased production from several players, including Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown.
The Commanders hope their combination of veterans and promising rookies will thrive in training camp and unveil their capabilities as the season approaches.
