Commanders' gamble comes back to haunt them with devastating injury blow

The Washington Commanders had the NFL's oldest roster heading into the season. That brings experience, but it also increases the risk of injuries occurring.

This bears more significance in short weeks with almost no downtime. And a major gamble from the Commanders ended up blowing up in their face.

Deatrich Wise Jr.'s status for the game on Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers was in doubt. The veteran defensive end left a hugely positive impression in Week 1 as the Commanders toppled the New York Giants, but he'd come out of it with a knee issue that was handled with extreme care.

Deatrich Wise Jr. injury is a body blow for Commanders' chances

Wise didn't practice much, but neither did anyone else. He was officially listed as questionable, but the Commanders decided to get him involved after being suitably impressed by his pre-game workout.

It didn't take long for that to unravel. Wise lost the explosiveness and core base against the run that saw him dominate the Giants. Things got even worse soon after, when the former Arkansas standout got carted off the field.

This came on a special-teams play, of all things. And it looked like the troublesome knee that threatened his participation finally became his undoing.

It didn't look good. The concern among his teammates was obvious. Much will depend on the results of tests after the contest. Still, the Commanders might be without the free-agent signing for some time — potentially even the entire campaign — depending on the severity of this issue.

This would be a body blow to an edge-rushing room that already lacks quality depth. The Commanders would be left relying on Jacob Martin or 2024 seventh-round pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste to fill the void. They also have Von Miller, but asking him to fill an every-down role at this late stage of his career is unfair and unrealistic in equal measure.

Adam Peters must be ready to react accordingly if the news is bad. And everyone associated with the Commanders will be hoping for the best.