The Commanders' training camp is in full swing, and Tuesday’s practice offered a strong showcase of talent and intensity, as players fine-tuned their skills with a specific emphasis on red-zone efficiency. The sixth day of camp, which was also the third open to fans and the second in full pads, saw significant performances from both veterans and newcomers.
Quarterback Battle Heating Up
Jayden Daniels is making a strong case for himself, splitting first-team reps with seasoned signal-caller Marcus Mariota. Daniels demonstrated his arm strength and decision-making by hitting Olamide Zaccheaus with a deep pass up the right sideline during 11-on-11 sessions. He also connected with Jahan Dotson along the sideline and made a solid throw to Terry McLaurin up the opposite sideline. However, the highlight of his day came in the final team session, where he completed a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Daniels, though. He experienced a bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and a series of missed throws that signified the ups and downs typical in a competitive training camp.
Offensive Line Adjustments
Brandon Coleman saw action with both the first and second teams at left and right tackle, facing off against veterans Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell. Reflecting on his performance, Coleman noted the steep learning curve when facing NFL defensive linemen: “D-linemen in the league have a bunch of secondary and third moves. Their knowledge of what o-linemen do is so vast compared to college... That's stuff that I just have to engrain in my brain, like shit’s not over until the whistle blows.”
He remains focused on constant improvement, adding, “There's always like three points in my brain that I'm telling myself in the next period if I didn't do it well. Like today, it was my hands were pretty bad in the first period. I was like, 'Work on my hands, work on my balance, keep my chest up.'"
Receiver Standouts
Jahan Dotson continued to bolster his reputation as one of the most consistent performers in camp. The young receiver, reflecting on his growing comfort and speed, stated, “I feel like I'm just getting more comfortable, and that's enabling me to play faster and faster. That's been a big emphasis for me.”
Meanwhile, Tremayne, another receiver vying for a spot, made two downfield catches from Mariota after an early drop, highlighting his resilience and big-play capability.
Stalwarts on Defense
On the defensive side, Mike Sainristil has been a constant presence among the starters. Sainristil, who is also contributing to the return game, spoke about his relentless playing style: “Part of it is just my play style. I'm a guy that's gonna go hard until the whistle's blown. And then the second part of it is just getting myself to make that second nature for me, so that when it comes game time, I don’t even have to think about stuff like that.”
Jer'Zhan Newton received his first taste of first-team reps and made the most of it by forcing McNichols to cut back during an attempted run. K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste also made notable impacts, further solidifying the defense's depth and competitiveness.
Special Teams Excellence
Kicker Ramiz Ahmed delivered a flawless performance during the team portion of practice, hitting every field goal attempt, including one from 51 yards with substantial distance to spare. Ahmed’s consistency could prove crucial as the season progresses.
With each practice, the Commanders' training camp reveals both strengths and areas in need of refinement. As players like Daniels and Dotson continue to stand out, the team's potential becomes increasingly apparent.