With training camp already kicked off earlier this week, the Washington Commanders welcomed fans to Ashburn, Va. on Saturday for the first time ahead of the 2026 regular season. Yet Saturday's practice also came with a mixed bag of injury news with one player back after a brief injury and another sidelined.
The returning piece would be wide receiver Treylon Burks, who head coach Dan Quinn noted was back in action during practice after battling foot soreness following day one of training camp. It marks a notable return for a player drawing increased focus at a position that has drawn all the attention through the offseason. Burks has an opportunity to become an impact piece in his first full season with the organization, which has magnified the reps available to the former Titans wide receiver ahead of the regular season. Burks was also one of two injuries that Quinn announced after the first day of practice as center Nick Allegretti remained sidelined as Quinn noted it will be another week until he returns, while Julian Good-Jones and Matt Gulbin round out the current two-deep.
Yet there was also bad news that materialized after Quinn noted that tight end John Bates suffered a strained hamstring following Thursday's practice that will "knock him out for a couple of weeks."
That marks a notable absence for the Commanders with a couple of weeks potentially spilling into preseason. While the Commanders entered the offseason with a question mark at the position , the signing of Chig Okonkwo alleviated the need to add a receiving threat to the room as Ben Sinnott looks to prove he can be a dependable piece in the rotation behind him. Yet Bates also returned for year six already proving his fit as the in-line blocker in the room, adding a question whether the Commanders have a serviceable replacement if he's sidelined long-term.
Bates has recorded 695 receiving yards and three touchdowns over his five seasons with the franchise, including 187 yards and one touchdown on 29 catches under head coach Dan Quinn, though the 2026 offense is expected to feature ample two tight end sets under offensive coordinator David Blough.
The Commanders will now return to the field for the fourth practice on fall camp on Monday, but they will also arrive in Ashburn differently the next time after Dan Quinn confirmed that will also be the team's first padded practice.
