Commanders overlooked veteran transforming into vital presence

The Washington Commanders’ franchise always seems to have one of those undersized, tougher-than-nails running backs who play bigger than their height and weight. They had one of the best in Larry Brown back in the 1970s. Since then — from Clarence Harmon to Chris Thompson and J.D. McKissic — this type has been one of the club’s genuine unsung heroes. Other than Brown, they have usually been third-down, pass-catching specialists who manage to break a tackle and get a first down against unlikely odds. Jeremy McNichols is the next in that line. A long shot for a roster spot when preseason began, the former Boise State star has already made several of the most inspirational plays of the season for the Commanders despite minimal opportunities. He was at it again in an otherwise ugly loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 6. With less than five minutes to go and Washington nursing a two-point lead, McNichols took a short pass from Jayden Daniels and bulled his way through multiple defenders. He managed to convert an un