Knee-deep in training camp, the Washington Commanders have enjoyed positive signs. Their fans have taken the brunt of Davante Adams’ negative words. And the Commanders have troubles in the form of three players struggling early during NFL training camp.
On the list are safety Darrick Forrest, tackle Braden Daniels and running back Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Forrest is the biggest surprise on this list as he entered the year under starting consideration. The three-year veteran, a fifth-round pick in 2021, started 16 games over the last two seasons and had four interceptions in 2022.
Commanders’ safety Darrick Forrest struggling
However, Forrest is languishing as third on the depth chart, behind projected free safety starter Quan Martin and backup Percy Butler. He is coming off an injury-filled season that saw him play in only five games.
Forrest entered training camp in a contract year, but he hasn’t been able to impress the new Commanders coaching staff. Recovered from the shoulder injury, Forrest had high hopes earlier this year and told commanders.com, “I'm excited for this year. I’m extremely excited. I really just want to go out there and play my brand of football.”
He also expressed excitement about playing for Commanders new coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt.
“You wanna run and hit?” he said. “Oh yeah. That's my brand of football. There's something about being physical. It just brings excitement to the game. And when you hit somebody hard, that adrenaline gets going.”
But Forrest hasn’t been to break through either at free safety or strong safety, where Jeremy Chinn holds down the top spot with Jeremy Reaves listed as the backup. Also, Mike Sainristill seems to have the inside track on the nickelback slot.
There’s still time for Forrest to turn things around, but he needs to get momentum going in his direction soon.
OT Braeden Daniels looking for an opening
The fourth-round draft pick in 2023 hasn’t had many opportunities to show what he’s got in his short NFL career. He spent what would have been his rookie season on injured reserve with a torn bicep.
A tackle in college, Daniels may have to make this year’s team as a guard. But he doesn’t have experience with the position, so he’s having to learn on the fly. And things haven’t gone great so far in the Commanders training camp.
Quinn told si.com that the team is giving Daniels, along with teammate Ricky Stromberg, some different looks.
“Yeah, we've put them both at two different spots,” Quinn said. “So, you'll see in the days ahead, Braeden some working back outside to tackle. So, that's part of the deal when you're with the twos and the threes to different spots, different things at different positions. So, you'll see that some in practice as well as in the preseason games, to make sure there's not a backup player, not a one-hole position. So, showing the versatility there, that's a really big deal.”
Daniels is listed as third-team tackle right now, behind Brandon Coleman and Cornelius Lucas. It's a difficult spot for Daniels, who has to improve quickly while still on a learning curve.
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. trying to hold on
There’s no doubt about No. 1 and No. 2 in the Commanders’ backfield. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler will take care of those duties and a huge percentage of the touches.
And Rodriguez expected to be the No. 3 guy, ready to go in case of injuries and hoping to get some touches himself. However, Jeremy McNichols and Michael Wiley may have caught Rodriguez. At the very least they’ve put pressure on him.
But it’s not like Rodriguez has been forgotten. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry in limited action last season for the Commanders. He showed burst and some big-play ability. The sixth-round pick rushed for 247 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in 2023.
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