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Commanders just signed a player Browns fans couldn't get rid of fast enough
Washington Commanders cornerback Darius Rush Cooper Neill/GettyImages

Adam Peters isn't one for delaying decisions when he has conviction. That came in handy as the Washington Commanders finalized their 53-man roster before molding the team's practice squad for the upcoming campaign.

Some decisions were obvious. Others were more contentious. One new arrival did come with a head-scratching view among the fan base, although it's not costing the Commanders much to find out if there is untapped potential remaining.

Washington's practice squad mainly consists of those who were part of the team's preparations this summer. There were a couple of fresh incomings, which included cornerback Darius Rush.

Commanders signed well-traveled CB Darius Rush to their practice squad

The former South Carolina standout has bounced around the league after being released by the Indianapolis Colts just one season into his career. His latest stint with an NFL franchise lasted two weeks, and Cleveland Browns fans couldn't wait to get rid of the defensive back after some lackluster efforts during the preseason.

Rush is getting a shot to establish himself in Washington. He's got the size and length typically associated with cornerbacks in Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s scheme. Expecting miracles is unrealistic, but there could be a chance for the player to feature — depending on the specific matchups from week to week — as the campaign progresses.

The Commanders opted to take only five cornerbacks onto their roster. Four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore and second-round rookie Trey Amos will start as the team's outside tandem. This allows potential superstar Mike Sainristil to move back into the nickel, where his exceptional skill set is best suited, in Year 2 of his professional career.

Two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones brings experience and dependability to the rotation. Noah Igbinoghene, who'd been the subject of trade speculation in the hours before the cut-down deadline, is also still around.

That might suffice for now, but all it'll take is an injury or two to turn the tide. The Commanders stuck with undrafted free agent Car'lin Vigers after his summer flashes, so he could also gain reps in this scenario. But Rush's experience, albeit extremely limited, might give him the edge with a smooth transition.

This is an opportunity Rush cannot waste. He needs to take on coaching, immerse himself in the team's superb locker room culture, and be ready for his chance if it arrives. Anything less could see the Commanders turn their attention to alternatives pretty quickly.

Washington's cornerback room is expected to be among the team's biggest strengths in 2025. Hopefully, Rush won't be needed for anything more than practice squad duties, but being around the setup will be a positive experience nonetheless.

Whether he can stick around for long enough or not is another matter.

More Commanders news and analysis


This article first appeared on Riggo's Rag and was syndicated with permission.

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