Commanders sneaky roster move might end this veteran’s shot before it begins

Adam Peters is always looking for ways to improve the roster. The Washington Commanders quickly adopted an aggressive strategy under his leadership, which produced new standards and kept urgency high enough for performance levels to increase exponentially.

Another fine example of this arrived just a few short hours before the Commanders took the field for the start of organized team activities. Something that raises the stakes for others in the defensive trenches along the way.

The Commanders brought back a familiar face in the form of Carl Davis. He joined the club last season, playing three games and logging 23 percent of the team's defensive snaps when active. The former third-round pick out of Iowa is a decent asset against the run. His athletic limitations are evident at 33 years old, but Washington saw enough in the player to warrant another look as preparations gather pace.

Carl Davis' arrival turns up the heat on another Commanders veteran

This could be nothing more than a camp body. However, it could also indicate that another recent arrival's time with the Commanders is in danger of ending before it begins.

Washington signed Eddie Goldman in free agency. He's got similar traits to Davis and should be fresher after missing a lot of football over the last five years. It would be a surprise if he didn't make the squad, but this extra level of fierce competition must be successfully navigated.

It's not costing the Commanders much to find out who's worth taking through onto the squad. Goldman and Davis are both on the vet minimum, so disposing of either comes with almost no salary-cap ramifications. This is also what Peters wants — to raise competition for places and let the best man win.

Anyone not pulling their weight will be shown the door. The Commanders have Daron Payne, Johnny Newton, and free-agent signing Javon Kinlaw leading their defensive tackle room in 2025. But this group needs productive depth, so it might be the case of one or the other where Davis and Goldman are concerned.

It's another wrinkle of fascination for fans to keep tabs on. Goldman must handle the pressure effectively. Otherwise, he could be looking for alternative employment in the not-too-distant future.

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