Commanders Daily: Washington's Depleted Front Has More Than Kyren Williams to Handle Against the Rams
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Commanders Daily: Washington's Depleted Front Has More Than Kyren Williams to Handle Against the Rams
Oct 11, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Tim Settle (97) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Philip Hughes·Washington Commanders On SI
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The Commanders held the Eagles to 91 rushing yards without Payne and Kinlaw. Now their depleted front faces Rams backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. | Philip Hughes | HTTR4LIFE LLC
After missing the 27-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw were bothplaced on injured reserve Tuesday. Reportedly, it marks the end of the season for Payne, who is dealing with a Jones fracture in his foot; Kinlaw underwent season-ending MCL surgery Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday. It should be noted that without the starting two defensive tackles, theCommandersheld the Eagles' depleted team to 91 rushing yards on 29 attempts, including 30 yards on 13 carries from Saquon Barkley, who has been dealing with back and hamstring issues, although he held no game designation against Washington.
In place of Payne and Kinlaw, Tim Settle Jr. played 42 snaps (61%), and Shy Tuttle played 32 (46%), along with Byron Cowart, who played 11 (16%) after beingelevated from the practice squadto the active roster. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged the front seven's work: "I knew the run game on the defensive side was gonna be an important one, so I liked what that looked like of guys setting edges," Quinn said.
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Blake Corum Gives Rams a Second Rushing Threat
The Rams have a couple of backs that need some attention. Sunday, Blake Corum rushed for 73 yards on 11 carries, and Kyren Williams added 56 and a touchdown on 16 carries against the Chargers. Corum added 93 rushing yards the week before against the Raiders and has now scored a touchdown from scrimmage in four consecutive games.
Corum can dump yards in spurts. On Sunday, he gained 55 rushing yards on five carries in the opening possession of the second half against the Chargers, including the 23-yard touchdown that gave the Rams a 17-9 lead. The Commanders' rotation will have to stay focused, as the Rams have multiple backs who need the front seven's full attention and aim to wear them down over four quarters. Corum understands what his coach needs out of him: "Our big thing here, Coach McVay always says, is stamina. And so I knew one of them was going to crack,"Corum said Sunday.
With Payne and Kinlaw both done for the year and Jer'Zhan (Johnny) Newton still in his 21-day practice window, Washington is thin up front. Cowart reverted to the practice squad Monday; his Eagles elevation doesn't automatically make him available against the Rams. The key in this coming game, and in the weeks ahead, is the Commanders establishing a rotation that can effectively stop the run, without getting gassed in the process.
