Commanders' rookie struggles raise alarm as brutal gauntlet shows no mercy

Rookie tackles tend to go through more growing pains than most upon their initial transition from college to the pros. That's proving to be the case for Washington Commanders' edge protector Josh Conerly Jr.

Conerly was expected to undertake a baptism of fire. The New York Giants' vaunted defensive front was first on the list. After that, the No. 29 pick was tasked with facing Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary on the primetime stage.

It did not go well. The Commanders tried to help Conerly, but when tight end John Bates was forced off the field with a groin injury, the Oregon product was on an island. He suffered accordingly, which saw calls from some sections of the fan base to put veteran Andrew Wylie back into the lineup.

Commanders rookie Josh Conerly Jr. is going through some expected growing pains

That's a little premature. The Commanders believe in Conerly enough to take the rough with the smooth. It won't be perfect all the time, but those in power feel like the best way to speed up his development is through live-fire reps in a competitive setting.

Things don't get any easier for Conerly this weekend when Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders come to town. The Oregon product needs to grow up fast, and Brad Gagnon from The Bleacher Report said things could have been much worse had it not been for Washington's preference to get the football out quickly.

Some may describe Thursday's performance by [Josh] Conerly as his "Welcome to the NFL" moment, but he already experienced last weekend against the New York Giants. Conerly hasn't had time to build any kind of comfort level on the right side after being a collegiate left tackle. The Commanders tried to provide the 21-year-old blocker with help from tight ends and running backs throughout Thursday's contest, but the effort proved fruitless. [Micah] Parsons and [Rashan] Gary regularly beat the rookie and provided pressure against quarterback Jayden Daniels. If not for a quick passing attack, the situation could have been much worse.Brad Gagnon

It's too early to sound the alarm just yet. Conerly will grow into a good player. He might not be there yet, but his NFL journey is still in its infancy. These are harsh learning experiences right now, so taking them on board is only going to improve his cause.

Crosby will be licking his lips like a cartoon wolf at the prospect of going up against Conerly in this one. He's a relentless, merciless pass-rusher who takes no prisoners and almost always gets the upper hand. If Bates misses the game, the Commanders could be forced to adopt a similar method and hope their first-year pro makes the improvements needed.

Easier said than done versus one of the league's elite performers. But Conerly must roll up his sleeves and find better coping mechanisms.

Nothing else will do.