LANDOVER, Md. — Washington Commanders linebacker Khaleke Hudson left the team’s preseason finale win over the Cincinnati Bengals with three tackles, ranking fifth on the team for the night.
Two of those three were for losses as the second-team linebacker looked out of place thanks to his experience with the Commanders’ first team defense early in training camp.
“They were very valuable to me,” Hudson said of the first team reps he got during camp. “Just to be able to be with the ones, get with the flow, and better show what I could do…it was very valuable.”
Hudson got those reps because linebacker Jamin Davis was coming back from a minor offseason knee procedure causing him to miss some days altogether and putting him in with the second-team for a time as he eased his way into first-team activities.
That valuable opportunity helped the fourth year linebacker accelerate his development a bit this preseason, and helped him stand out on a stacked defense all through training camp.
And in the end, Hudson believes he took full advantage of his opportunity to grow in Davis’ place.
“I feel like I did the best that I can. I feel like I left everything out there, I left no doubt out there,” Hudson said. “I just knew for myself I didn’t want to look back and think, ‘Oh I wish I would’ve (done) this different or I wish I would’ve went harder here.”
Hudson will take that confidence that there’s nothing he didn’t do, or anything he held back for the coaches to see, as he awaits his fate Tuesday afternoon as dreaded cut day approaches.
While we’re confident he’ll be on the active roster, the players know it’s dangerous to count on something before it becomes official.
Still, walking out with two tackles for losses including one on a third down with the Bengals trying to extend a one-score lead, there’s not much else the Commanders could have done to convince his coaches they need to keep him.
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