Commanders' Dan Quinn shares positive injury updates before Eagles matchup
As the Washington Commanders prepare for their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Dan Quinn provided encouraging news regarding player injuries. Key players, including linebacker Odafe Oweh, are trending towards being ready for the game, bolstering the team's defensive lineup.
The Washington Commanders returned to Ashburn on Monday after a long weekend, gearing up for their Week 1 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 NFL season. Coach Dan Quinn delivered some positive updates regarding the team's injury situation, indicating that the roster is in good shape ahead of the opener.
"Everybody participated today," Quinn stated when asked about linebacker Odafe Oweh's status. "It was a walkthrough practice, so I’ll get you an update on Wednesday, but it’s a good sign that everybody’s trending in the right direction. Full group out there today getting work in."
Oweh, along with edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, had been dealing with calf and knee injuries, respectively, during training camp. While Chaisson returned to practice last week, there were concerns about Oweh's readiness for the season opener. However, Quinn's comments suggest that the Commanders are optimistic about Oweh's availability against the Eagles.
This offseason, Washington made significant investments to enhance their defense, starting with the hiring of new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. The most notable acquisition was the signing of Oweh, a former first-round pick by the Ravens in the 2021 NFL Draft. After a slow start in Baltimore, Oweh was traded to the Chargers, where he excelled, recording 7.5 sacks in 12 games. His performance peaked in January's AFC Wild Card game, where he sacked the Patriots quarterback three times.
After Further Review
Most of Washington's projected defensive starters are expected to be on the field for the opener. Although cornerback Trey Amos was placed on injured reserve last week, the rest of the squad appears ready to go. The Commanders will, however, be without star left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who is recovering from a torn triceps, and defensive lineman Johnny Newton, who has a torn pec, both of whom were also placed on IR.
The encouraging news surrounding players like Oweh, Chaisson, and center Nick Allegretti, who are all trending positively in their recovery, could play a crucial role in the Commanders' defensive strategy against the Eagles. With the season opener just days away, the Commanders are looking to leverage their strengthened roster to make a strong statement in their first game of the season.
