5 Commanders who must become difference makers in growing injury storm

The Washington Commanders are reeling right now. Not only are they coming off a gut-check defeat against the Green Bay Packers with the national NFL audience watching, but head coach Dan Quinn is also trying to navigate some concerning injury problems.

Quinn knows that every team deals with injuries throughout the season. The Commanders have more than most. This stemmed from a short week with almost no preparation time early into the campaign.

There are much bigger expectations on their shoulders in 2025. Depth is already being tested, so it's a next man up situation. Injuries are disappointing, but they represent opportunities for others further down the depth chart.

Washington has the option to sign veteran free agents if things don't go well. But for now, those in power are giving others the chance to firmly establish themselves and prove their worth in more established roles heading into a crucial Week 3 home clash with the Las Vegas Raiders.

It's a risky proposition. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who must become difference makers in the team's growing injury storm.

Commanders players who must become difference makers in the growing injury storm

Jacob Martin - Commanders DE

It didn't look good for Deatrich Wise Jr. when he was carted off against the Green Bay Packers. The veteran defensive end looked despondent, and the concern among his teammates couldn't have been more obvious.

They were right to be worried. Wise sustained a quad injury that requires surgery. The Commanders placed him on season-ending injured reserve, and considering the former Arkansas standout only signed a one-year deal with the franchise, he's probably played his last game in Washington.

The Commanders opted not to sign another defensive end. Jadeveon Clowney went to the Dallas Cowboys, which indicates a level of confidence in the options available. That's not an opinion shared by fans, who were concerned about the team's lack of edge depth even before this unfortunate development.

Jacob Martin will be next up, or at least he should be. He's flashed promise over the opening two games. His 70.9 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus ranks 29th out of 139 qualifying edge defenders. Things have been less impressive against the run, but he's done more than enough for the starting berth in Wise's absence.

Washington should also get 2024 seventh-round pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste more involved. There could be some tweaks to the run defense that involve Eddie Goldman moving to the interior and Javon Kinlaw going to defensive end. But Martin has a chance to stake a strong claim and prove he is much more than a rotational journeyman.

Ben Sinnott - Carolina Panthers TE

John Bates has risen to become one of the league's most productive blocking tight ends. One only has to see how rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. struggled versus the Green Bay Packers without his help to see that.

Bates left the game with a groin injury, which piled more misery onto the Commanders. Head coach Dan Quinn stated that it's a long shot he plays this weekend, so Kliff Kingsbury should throw Ben Sinnott into the fire and see how he fares.

Sinnott's been something of a forgotten man despite his second-round status. The fact that he wasn't used much even after Bates went down is a damning indictment of how his development is being perceived. Zach Ertz can't be the blocker, so the Kansas State product needs to step up.

The Commanders also have undrafted free agent Colson Yankoff if needed. But given Sinnott's draft status and his athletic intangibles, he could get the nod to fill the void initially.

It's a precarious situation. Sinnott was an innocent bystander during his rookie campaign, being used sparingly as Ertz and Bates thrived. This represents a massive step up in responsibilities if he's tasked with starting, so it's a journey into the unknown for all involved.

With Maxx Crosby next up for Conerly, the first-year tackle needs all the help he can get. That might have to come from Sinnott when push comes to shove.

Luke McCaffrey - Commanders WR

The Commanders are once again dealing with a Noah Brown injury. This has become a concerning trend in recent months, which is unfortunate for a player who formed a key part of the team's plans last season.

Brown is an underrated route runner who can stretch the field. Still, the best ability in the NFL is availability. The seventh-round pick out of Ohio State just cannot be depended upon to put a consistent run of games together, and head coach Dan Quinn revealed that he is likely to miss Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders with another soft tissue complication.

Washington signed Chris Moore to the active roster as an insurance policy. However, if there was ever a chance for Luke McCaffrey to step up and increase his influence, it's now.

McCaffrey seems further down the wideout pecking order than ever following the offseason acquisitions of Jaylin Lane and Deebo Samuel Sr. The Commanders haven't completely given up on the third-round selection just yet, but he's got a long way to go before confidence rises.

The Rice product earned 16 offensive snaps against the Packers, bringing in his only target for 19 receiving yards. If more opportunities arrive, McCaffrey must seize them accordingly.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB

Austin Ekeler was expected to be the No. 1 running back over the early stages of the campaign after the Washington Commanders traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers. That came screeching to an abrupt halt after two games.

Ekeler went down late against the Green Bay Packers, and there was immediate concern. The dual-threat tore his Achilles tendon, ruling him out for the entire campaign and likely ending his time in Washington.

This is a body blow. It also means Washington's young running backs must grow up much quicker than initially projected. That brings seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt firmly under the microscope.

Croskey-Merritt blazed a trail throughout the summer to comfortably make the 53-man roster. He gained national headlines with a starring debut against the New York Giants in Week 1, but offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was reluctant to involve him heavily versus a formidable Packers defensive front.

That has to change now. The Commanders are comfortable giving Croskey-Merritt the top job so early in his NFL career. This is better than the player or Washington envisaged, but maximizing the opportunity is crucial.

The Commanders also have Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jeremy McNichols, and the recently acquired Chase Edmonds to pick up the slack. But Croskey-Merritt has a massive opportunity to cement his long-term status.

Marcus Mariota - Commanders QB

This one is to be determined. Dan Quinn hasn't ruled anything out one way or another where Jayden Daniels is concerned, but his status for Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders is in serious doubt.

Daniels suffered a knee sprain on Thursday Night Football. He's reportedly day-to-day, but Quinn wants him to hit specific targets before confidence increases regarding his participation. Until then, veteran backup Marcus Mariota will prepare as if he's the starting signal-caller versus one of his old employers.

Mariota is a dependable presence. He performed well when called upon last season, and he turned down offers from elsewhere to remain in Washington this offseason. The former Oregon standout can run a similar offensive scheme without the same dynamism, which should keep complications to a minimum if Daniels is forced to miss the clash at Northwest Stadium.

Not having Daniels is a massive blow. He's the franchise player — the man who took over immediately and dragged a sleeping giant off its knees. But if there isn't 100 percent conviction in his health, Mariota is one of the league's best fallback options.

The Commanders need to get back to winning ways this weekend. If Mariota is under center, he needs to provide the calm assurance and come through in the clutch if needed.