The Commanders are preparing for the worst with latest injury update and could be without an All-Pro player against the Packers

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Josh Taylor | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 3:01 PM ET

Nobody likes a short week, even if it's early in the season, and that's exactly what the Washington Commanders are dealing with as they travel to take on the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. Luckily, the team has been rather healthy since it is early, and not during the long stretch of the season, but there was one injury on Sunday that could be costly.
The Commanders' latest move showed that they are uncertain if one key player will be able to go with the quick turnaround, and they're bringing in backup just in case.

If All-Pro punter Tress Way isn't able to play, it'll be a hit to more than just the field position game for the Commanders.

Tress Way is dealing with a back injury

Tress Way was the best player on the team for years, which is sad, but also shows how reliable he has been with his game-changing field position on his punts. He earned All-Pro honors in 2019 and made it to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2022. Way has only missed one game in his career as he enters his 12th season in Washington, and it would be his first time missing a game since 2021, when he had COVID against the Eagles.

Way came down on his back after Abdul Carter partially blocked a punt and collided with Way, sending him down to the ground hard.

Abdul Carter punt block! Almost got one earlier too pic.twitter.com/pZFYOq6b3q
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 7, 2025

Commanders make a move

With Way working back to full strength and the team playing on a short week, the Commanders decided to bring in one of the two punters they worked out on Tuesday. The Commanders signed a six-year veteran punter, Mitch Wishnowsky, to their practice squad. Wishnowsky knows Adam Peters, as he spent his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers.

We have made the following roster moves:
- Signed P Mitch Wishnowsky to the practice squad
- Released TE Lawrence Cager from the practice squad
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 10, 2025

Head Coach Dan Quinn says that he feels good about Tress Way's injury and that it's "lower now" after practice on Friday, but the move signals that they need a backup plan just in case.

If he doesn't play, the Commanders will be missing more than just the starting punter, but also the holder for field goals, which will be crucial in a close NFC showdown. Adam Peters, however, is a madman and knows what he's doing.

A kicker needs a clean snap and a clean hold to do his job, and the kicking team is a chain of teamwork and familiarity. Way has been the holder for kicker Matt Gay since he joined the team, but funny enough, Wishnowsky was a college teammate with Gay and held his field goals for two seasons at Utah. You can't even make it up anymore. Peters has a plan for literally everything, including a punter holding kicks for his former college teammate in an emergency if Way can't play.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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