Jordan Magee just made a case the Commanders can't ignore in Week 5

Witnessing the Washington Commanders' defense get exposed by the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 was painful for fans to watch. Joe Whitt Jr. was coming under fire for his lack of adjustments, and things didn't look like they were getting better after a lackluster start against the Los Angeles Chargers this time out.

The Commanders couldn't generate any early momentum. Thankfully, everything clicked a little later, which provided the offense with enough of a chance to score 27 unanswered points en route to a much-needed victory on the road.

And for second-year linebacker Jordan Magee, he made a case that the Commanders can't ignore moving forward.

Jordan Magee made a strong case for more involvement on Commanders defense

Magee's been an innocent bystander, for the most part, this season. Washington's linebacking corps was crying out for an extra injection of explosiveness, but Whitt remained cautious when it came to the 2024 fourth-round pick. He finally got a chance to stake a claim at SoFi Stadium, and he took full advantage.

It was only 12 defensive snaps, but Magee made the most of them. His athleticism and quickness off the snap were considerable assets to call upon. And the physicality displayed to secure a tackle for loss would have been a massive confidence boost for the second-year pro.

Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu remain entrenched as the starting linebacker duo. However, this is further proof that Whitt has to find ways to get Magee onto the field.

His physical gifts cannot be taught. He's gradually earning the trust of his coaches, and Magee is always ready for the moment when his number is called. That is the sort of influence the Commanders should reward accordingly.

Expecting Magee to log starting reps is unrealistic. But his improvements in coverage, coupled with his instincts against the run, make him an asset. And at a time when the Commanders have lacked a little spark at the second level, getting him more involved every week wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.

If Magee builds on this and continues to benefit from the wisdom of Wagner and Luvu, there's a good chance the former Temple standout could become a long-term piece of the puzzle in Washington. This performance, albeit fleeting, only enhanced this narrative.

Magee is poised to make a lasting contribution after finally experiencing a sustained period of good fortune on the health front. The Commanders would be wise to make his involvement an ongoing trend.