Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Commanders rule out seven players for Bengals game

Originally posted on Washington Commanders on SI
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated Aug 16, 2025 11:27 AM ET

The Washington Commanders are getting ready to face off against the Cincinnati Bengals, but a few players won't be in uniform.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn shared that linebacker Bobby Wagner, tight end Zach Ertz, linebacker Von Miller, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, offensive lineman Sam Cosmi and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota will not play for the team against the Bengals.

Commanders won't have top players vs. Bengals

The Commanders didn't play 30 of their top players against the New England Patriots in the season opener, so this isn't as egregious of a look. However, it is still the preseason and the Commanders are prioritizing the health of their top players over everything.

Wagner is arguably the best player on defense, even as he enters his 14th NFL season. He doesn't need the reps in the preseason as much as other players on the roster.

The same can be said for veteran tight end Ertz, who won't suit up against the Bengals. Linebacker Miller just arrived in the nation's capital last month, but he is being viewed as a sit out for the Commanders.

Tunsil is also a new addition for the Commanders this season and while he could benefit from some reps with some of his first-team offensive line, that won't come this week. He's more likely to see action in the Commanders' final preseason game next week.

McLaurin was recently activated off of the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List, while Cosmi and Mariota are still nursing injuries of their own.

Ultimately, the Commanders just want to get to the beginning of the season as healthy as possible, so that is the primary goal of these preseason games. The next goal is to give the players fighting for a spot on the roster a chance to compete for playing time. Those players should get plenty of those with a lot of first-teamers out.