Early training camp sign hints at breakout role Commanders fans have craved

Dan Quinn and his coaching staff won't be giving too much away at training camp with the regular season fast approaching. However, there will be subtle clues that Washington Commanders fans can pick up on if they look closely enough.

The first day of training camp was no different. And one notable development hinted at more involvement for one rising star that Commanders fans have craved.

According to those in attendance, safety Tyler Owens was getting a ton of work with the first-string defense. And more importantly, he didn't look out of place whatsoever.

Tyler Owens worked with Commanders' first-team defense on Day 1 of camp, and that's significant

Owens looked assured in coverage. His positional sense was much improved, and he looks more ready for the moment in the training camp pressure cooker. There is a long way to go and a lot of practices left before the former undrafted free agent's role is fully determined, but this cannot be seen as anything other than positive.

This follows a similar trend to how Owens performed last summer. Work with the first-team defense was in short supply, but the Texas Tech product rose from obscurity to deservedly earn his place on the 53-man roster when all hope seemed lost.

A disappointing injury dented his progress, and the Commanders deployed him more on special teams after that. But based on the way he's approached this offseason, Owens is keen to make up for some lost time.

The defensive back has the required size, athleticism, and explosiveness that Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. look for in their safeties. Quan Martin and Will Harris are entrenched as the starting tandem right now, but don't be surprised if the coaching staff finds ways to get Owens into the rotation this season if the same high-performance levels continue.

Letting Jeremy Chinn walk in favor of the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency was a gamble from general manager Adam Peters. Harris was signed to fill the void, but Owens can also stake a stronger claim. He also boasts very similar instinctive, dynamic traits.

It'll be interesting to see if Owens can keep stacking good days over camp. The Commanders should also give him all he can handle in the preseason, which will go a long way toward determining his fate. But if Quinn and Whitt are suitably impressed, and there are no more issues on the health front, it's all systems go.

After that, Owens might be a surprise the league doesn't see coming in 2025.

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