USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Depth Being Tested Early After Pair of Injuries

Originally posted on FanNation Washington Football
By Nathaniel Marrero | Last updated 9/2/23

The injury bug is already biting the Washington Commanders.

Defensive end Efe Obada and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis were each placed on the IR on Thursday. Obada has a knee injury and Mathis is dealing with a calf injury. With the Commanders putting them on the IR, they'll each miss at least the first four games of the season.

With key depth sidelined, Ron Rivera noted a mix of veterans and young players will have to step up in their absence.

"Those two guys gone we're going to count on a veteran guy in [DT] Abdullah Anderson to step up and help out and then [DT] Benning Potoa’e," Rivera said. "He is guy that we may have to pop up depending on what happens. We’re going to rely a little bit on the young guys to help round out the rest of that group. We like the backups. We think [DE] James Smith-Williams and [DE] Casey [Toohill] are very capable guys."

The depth along the defensive line will prove pivotal early in the season as players find their legs. For as good as the Commanders defensive line is with Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Chase Young, players like defensive ends James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill will have to step up when they need a breather.

Smith-Williams is the most proven of the bunch, as he had three sacks, five tackles-for-loss and 12 quarterback hits for Washington last season. Toohill had one sack and six quarterback hits in 2022.

Defensive tackles Abdullah Anderson and Benning Potoa’e have seven years of experience amongst each other.

The defensive line has been a strength of the Commanders in recent years. But with Obada and Mathis out and uncertainty surrounding Young's health, the position's depth is already being pushed before the season has even begun.

If the unit is going to remain a strength, they'll need players like Smith-Williams, Toohill, Anderson and Potoa’e to fit in seamlessly when their number is called.

This article first appeared on FanNation Washington Football and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: