Washington Commanders’ joint practice with the New York Jets was disrupted by heavy rain, but both teams made the most of the opportunity to compete and grow. The Commanders’ rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, faced one of the NFL’s top defenses and showed promise in his ability to process the game and make quick decisions. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin praised Daniels’ ball placement and anticipation, noting that the game is starting to slow down for him.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, Daniels connected well with tight end Zach Ertz, who became his favorite target during the practice. Jets coach Robert Saleh spoke highly of Daniels, stating that he was impressed with the rookie’s performance during the evaluation process leading up to the draft.
The Commanders’ offensive line remains a concern, with several key players missing practice due to injuries and illness. Guard Chris Paul had to fill in at right tackle, and penalties, particularly pre-snap penalties, continue to be a concern. The shifting personnel puts additional stress on the interior starters and overall efficiency of the offensive line.
Defensively, the Commanders’ front seven, led by Jonathan Allen and linebacker Frankie Luvu, had success against the Jets’ offense, while the secondary, including Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Benjamin St-Juste, and Michael Davis, struggled at times against the Jets’ top receiver, Garrett Wilson.
The Commanders’ kickers, Ramiz Ahmed and Riley Patterson, struggled with accuracy in the rain, missing several field goal attempts. However, wide receiver Brycen Tremayne continued to impress with his ability to catch contested deep passes.
In terms of player injuries, safety Darrick Forrest remained sidelined with a hamstring injury, while the team continued to rotate kick-returner candidates.
Overall, despite the challenging weather conditions and the areas of improvement needed, the Commanders left the joint practice feeling content about their performance and the opportunity to compete against a new team. These practices serve as valuable learning experiences and opportunities for growth as the team prepares for the upcoming season.