Commanders Victory Monday Notebook: Roster Moves, Injury Timelines, and Prepping for London - Burgundy Roundup
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Commanders Victory Monday Notebook: Roster Moves, Injury Timelines, and Prepping for London - Burgundy Roundup
Sep 27, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) reacts after a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Philip Hughes·Washington Commanders On SI
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Following a massive 33-31 upset over Seattle, Washington made headlines with Austin Ekeler's return, a successful neck surgery for Leo Chenal, and London travel plans. | HTTR4LIFE LLC
News ofLeo Chenal's fractured neck and surgery to repair it came soon after. Needless to say, he'llmiss the rest of the season. More importantly, he can move all of his extremities, and the surgery was a success, according to his X account.
Commanders HC Dan Quinn saidJayden Danielswill travel to London with the team and is expected to get back on the practice field this week. Quinn stopped short of offering much more on his status, so it'll be interesting to see how involved Daniels is as the week progresses toward Sunday's game against theColtsat Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Sep 27, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) rushes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Washington Commanders' defensive unit entered Week 3 looking for a spark, something to light the fire that defensive coordinator Daronte Joneshas instilled in those mensince the offseason program began. Before the game, Jones was focused on them taking the next step: "The most glaring thing that [we] would love to see is just takeaways...guys are constantly attacking the ball, and that's where I think we need to grow and continue to progress that way so we can get the ball off these guys and get our offense some extra possessions."
The Washington Commanders earned their first win of the 2026 NFL season against theSeattle Seahawks, who entered the game on a 12-game winning streak. Seattle outgained Washington 437-258 and had 28 first downs to Washington's 17. Turnovers proved to be the difference.
Headed into a tough matchup with a backup quarterback and depleted offensive line,David Bloughcalled an outstanding game. After taking advantage of the Seahawks' first turnover, Blough dialed up a fake swing pass in the second quarter that was in actuality a tunnel screen toJaylin Lane, resulting in the first 20-plus yard play of the season allowed by the Seahawks defense.
"Leo had surgery this morning and it went well," Quinn said. "That's a big deal. Great teammate and has been a significant addition, both on and off the field, so that was good news to hear."
Chenal suffered a neck injury late in the second quarter of the after attempting to tackle Seattle running backEmanuel Wilson. Washington's medical staff attended to Chenal on the ground for several minutes before he was driven off on a medical cart. Several teammates took a knee as Wilson was tended to.
The Washington Commanders returned to Northwest Stadium on Sunday for a rainy home opener against the reigning Super Bowl champion, Seattle Seahawks. Despite entering Week three shorthanded, Washington delivered a complete performance, defeating Seattle 33-31 to earn its first victory of the season, while handing the Seahawks their first loss.
With the Washington Commanders lined up at the Seattle Seahawks' 30-yard line,Marcus Mariotashuffledtohis left and fired a shottoMcLaurin near the front of the end zone. McLaurin turned at the lastmoment, plucked the ball from theairand secured it as he felltogive his team a two-score lead.Inthemoment, it looked like the play unfolded exactly as the Commanders drew it up.
But thatisn'tquite true. The Commanders got the result they wanted, but everything leadinguptoitwasa little different from what they hadplanned out.
"Itkind of changedon the fly," Mariota said after the game.
The Commanders were one of the worst teams at defending the run last season, averaging more than141 yardsallowed per game. The front officesoughtto change thatthis pastoffseason, andnow,it'sarguably thedefense's best trait.
The Seahawks, who entered the Week 3 matchup ranked ninth in rushing offense, found almost no successontheground against the Commanders. They put up 44 yards on just 18 carries, averaging2.4 yards per attempt.Price was the leading rusher with 15 yards, although most of that came off an 11-yard run that was also the Seahawks' longest of the day. It was the fewest rushing yards allowedby the Commanderssince Week 13 of the 2024 season againstTennessee.
Thatdidn'tstop the Seahawks from having success on offense, as they turned more to the passing game, but their inability to run the ball did affect the game in tangible ways. The best example came during the Seahawks' failed attempt atscoring at the Commanders' 2-yard line in the second quarter. The Seahawkselectedto pass the ball on three consecutive plays, leading to a turnover on downs.
The Commanders still have plenty to work on with their defense, but their presence on the ground gives them a foundation to build upon in the coming weeks.
It's certainly possible. Nothing should be completely dismissed, especially after Quinn said the door would never be closed on Wagner. The Commanders are also bringing running backAustin Ekelerin for another go-around, so the same could happen again.
"I don't know if I can quantify it," Quinn said afterward. "But I do know, coming into this, that we were going to be really tested. The 0-3 test and the 1-2 test, both don't sound great on paper. But they feel a lot different."
A Week in the NFL. Everything can change.
The Commanders' defense hadn't produced three turnovers in a game since it forced five in that seems-so-long-ago divisional playoff win in January 2025 inDetroit. Last season, it created just 10 turnovers, which was 31st of 32 teams in the league. Sunday, against the best team in football, they produced three, includingKain Medrano's game-shifting 50-yard pick-six late in the fourth quarter.
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Podcasts
Second Thoughts: Run defense, Kain Medrano, Marcus Mariota, & some lingering pass rush issues - John Keim Report
John gives his second thoughts following Washington's first win of the season against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. John discusses Marcus Mariota's impressive play, Kain Medrano's pick-six, the lingering pass rush issues, and more.
Commanders Shock Seahawks: Full Postgame Recap with Interviews - With Lake Lewis
Commanders Shock the Seahawks 33-31 - John Keim Report
