Who Will Impress in the Commanders vs. Bengals Preseason Showdown?
The Washington Commanders will return to primetime this week when they host the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. It’s the team’s second preseason matchup, and while the final score won’t matter much, head coach Dan Quinn and his staff will be watching closely as roster battles continue to unfold. At quarterback, Jayden Daniels, Sam Hartman, and Josh Johnson are all expected to see action. Daniels may draw particular attention after a rocky showing in last week’s Burgundy and Gold scrimmage. Daniels looked good in his preseason debut but struggled with consistency, uncharacteristic for the 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The offensive line will also be under the microscope. Laremy Tunsil is expected back after missing time in camp with a groin injury, but overall depth along the line remains a concern. With starters limited and backups shuffled in, the group will need to show improvement after uneven play against New England in the opener. Defensively, the Commanders are still tinkering with their linebacker depth. The team recently added veteran Duke Riley after releasing Dominique Hampton, and this game will be another chance to evaluate the revamped rotation. Coaches want to see the unit create more disruption against Cincinnati’s reserves, while maintaining discipline in coverage.
Beyond the headliners, bubble players and special teamers will have plenty of opportunities to stand out. Rookie wideout Jaylin Lane has been one of the pleasant surprises of camp, earning more snaps at outside receiver in addition to his role as a punt returner. With contract negotiations and injuries possibly thinning the receiver group, Lane’s versatility could push him into a larger role. There is also competition stirring for the final running back spot on the roster, so keep an eye out for some rookies trying to show what they’ve got.
The Commanders’ scrimmage earlier this week highlighted some of the same questions the team will take into Monday: Can Daniels establish rhythm with his offense? Will the line hold up against pressure? Which depth players will rise to the occasion? The answers won’t come in a single preseason game, but under the primetime lights of Monday Night Football, Washington will get its best chance yet to see how its roster holds up against playoff-caliber competition.
