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Washington Commanders Expected to Elevate Practice Squad Lineman
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- Washington Commanders Expected to Elevate Practice Squad Lineman
(Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images)
Amid injuries in the trenches, the Washington Commanders are expected to make a move to upgrade the lack of depth ahead of week nine.
Defensive tackle Ricky Barber is expected to be signed off the practice squad and onto the 53 man roster, per Ben Standig, giving the Commanders a young piece now looking to prove himself. Barber joined the organization as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft before being part of the final round of roster cuts, re-joining the team on the practice squad. He was then promoted for the final two games of the regular season with his NFL debut against the Dallas Cowboys
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when he recorded five total tackles, including two solo, and a sack in the Christmas Day loss .
Barber signed a futures contract to begin the new calendar year before re-joining the practice squad prior to the 2026 regular season, yet he will now enter the second half of the regular season with a chance to prove himself as a dependable piece in the rotation. Whether it ends up being the only move is a question that general manager Adam Peters will now look to answer given the position that was once viewed to be a strength has since been ravaged with injuries. The Commanders previously opened the 21 day practice window for defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton ahead of week eight, though he was among the final inactives prior to kickoff. Whether he makes his season debut in week nine could significantly bolster the depth alongside Shy Tuttle and Charles Omenihu.
The news materialized shortly after an official timeline was revealed for defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. One day after he was placed on injured reserve, news broke that Kinlaw underwent season-ending surgery on his MCL on Tuesday, marking a big blow for the unit. Kinlaw's injury also came days removed from defensive tackle Daron Payne also suffering a season-ending foot injury, teaming up for two massive absences for defensive coordinator Daronte Jones to navigate through. The team previously promoted defensive tackle Byron Cowart to the active roster to replace Payne's absence ahead of the week eight win.
How the Commanders' defensive line fares will be heavily tested against a Los Angeles Rams offense that will turn to Blake Corum and Kyren Williams. The Rams average 1.1 fewer yards than the Commanders, though they enter week nine as one of seven teams to record double digit rushing touchdowns midway through the 2026 regular season.
