Commanders forced into secondary shake-up after Jonathan Jones injury

After avoiding it much of last season, the injury bug has bitten the Washington Commanders early in 2025.

While news surrounded the season-ending injuries for both defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. and running back Austin Ekeler, there was another problem. Veteran Jonathan Jones, one of the team's most versatile defensive backs, has been ruled out for at least the next four weeks after being placed on injured reserve.

His absence forces Washington to rely heavily on a mix of established figures, young developing talent, and versatile depth pieces to keep the cornerback room afloat. With the Commanders sitting in one of the NFL’s most pass-happy divisions, how this group adapts will go a long way in determining whether the defense can hold steady in Jones’ absence.

Commanders will expect more from their starting cornerback trio

At the forefront are the starting three corners: Marshon Lattimore, rookie Trey Amos, and second-year nickel Mike Sainristil.

Lattimore brings a résumé of All-Pro caliber play from his days with the New Orleans Saints, but his time in Washington has been ugly so far; there's just no other way of putting it. The Commanders envisioned him as their lockdown perimeter option, yet dating back to last year's run and through two weeks in 2025, he’s looked out of place — struggling to mirror receivers down the field and giving up chunk plays outside the numbers.

Amos, the rookie from Ole Miss, has been just fine in early action. While he’s shown flashes of physical coverage and instincts that made him an intriguing Day 2 pick, first-year corners almost always go through growing pains.

Teams have already begun testing him with deep concepts, forcing Amos to prove he can play disciplined football while handling NFL speed. This month is an early career trial by fire, with depth becoming increasingly limited behind him.

Then there’s Sainristil, who brings a unique skill set to the mix. A standout in college at Michigan, he’s already carved out a role as the team’s primary nickel corner, where his quick feet, aggressive tackling, and sticky coverage in short areas have impressed. But with Jones out, he may also need to expand his role outside as he did last season.

Sainristil's ability to move between nickel and perimeter spots is invaluable, especially when injuries start to pile up. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. may ask him to shoulder even more responsibility as matchups dictate.

Commanders could increase Antonio Hamilton Sr. and Tyler Owens' usage

Beyond the top three, the Commanders will be forced to explore options that haven’t yet been called upon this season. One possibility is elevating Antonio Hamilton Sr. from the practice squad.

A journeyman corner with extensive NFL experience, Hamilton isn’t flashy but offers reliability and a professional approach to coverage. He could be plugged in as a rotational perimeter option, giving the team a steady — if unspectacular — alternative when others falter or need a breather.

Perhaps the most intriguing name is second-year safety/corner Tyler Owens.

The undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech made waves in training camp by flashing at nickel and showing the kind of elite athleticism that earned him an extended look from the coaching staff. At 6-foot-2 with long arms and excellent top-end burst, Owens brings a unique blend of size and explosiveness that makes him a matchup problem for opposing slot receivers and larger, less nuanced tight ends.

He can play over the slot, rotate deep as a safety, or continue to help on special teams. With Jones out, it could be Owens' chance to prove he belongs in the regular defensive rotation. His ability to cover ground in a hurry and compete physically at the catch point could give Washington’s secondary another piece that other teams don't see coming.

If Owens can translate his athletic profile into consistent production, which is always a massive question for young players, he could quickly emerge as a key piece in the rotation. This bears more significance against spread-heavy offenses that test defenses horizontally.

Commanders have a subplot in Noah Igbinoghene

Another subplot in the Commanders' secondary is the role of Noah Igbinoghene.

Acquired for his athletic upside, Igbinoghene has long been viewed as a project player — a corner with speed and recovery ability, but who has struggled with technique and consistency in coverage. If Lattimore’s rough start continues, and the team doesn't trust Owens or Hamilton to play meaningful snaps, the former Auburn star may be thrust into a larger role on the perimeter.

That possibility comes with risk. Igbinoghene has been prone to lapses in awareness, particularly when playing zone. Yet, he also has the raw tools to hang with some of the league’s faster receivers. Washington’s defensive staff will likely keep him on a short leash, but given the need for depth at the position, he might not stay on the sidelines for long.

How Igbinoghene performs in this expanded opportunity could very well determine his long-term future both in Washington and the NFL as a whole at 25 years old.

Commanders have an opportunity in injury adversity

For Whitt, the puzzle is figuring out how best to deploy the mix of talent. Without Jones, the Commanders lose one of their most adaptable and assignment-sound players. That raises the pressure on scheme and matchups, where it should be expected that Washington will lean heavily on disguised coverages and bracket help from safeties to protect corners on the perimeter.

More rotational mixing is anticipated. Sainristil potentially shifting outside on early downs, Owens stepping in at nickel in specific packages, and Igbinoghene handling specialized boundary roles could become the new normal. The key will be finding combinations that minimize mistakes while maximizing the unique skill sets of each player.

Then again, there's the question of Lattimore.

The NFL is often about survival. For Washington’s cornerback group, this is a moment to prove that depth and development matter.

Injuries like Jones’ can derail a secondary if the next men up aren’t ready. But they can also create opportunities for young players like Owens to accelerate their growth.

In many ways, this could be a defining stretch for the Commanders’ defense. If Lattimore steadies, Amos learns quickly, and Owens capitalizes on his athletic gifts, Washington might emerge from this stretch stronger than expected with more pieces to utilize when Jones returns.

There's a flip side to that coin. If the struggles compound — if Lattimore’s inconsistency lingers and Amos endures rookie speed bumps — then the secondary could become a glaring weakness opponents exploit week after week, especially if the front four can't get home.

For now, the spotlight is squarely on a reshuffled cornerback room. The Commanders will quickly discover whether their combination of veterans, rookies, and versatile depth can prevent the defense from unraveling — or if the cracks become too much to overcome.