Story by
Pair of Washington Commanders Awarded for Week One Performances
- Story by
- Pair of Washington Commanders Awarded for Week One Performances
(Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)
The Washington Commanders will stay on the road this weekend as they look for their first win of the regular season in already the second divisional matchup, but they will also do so after a pair of young pieces were honored for their week one performance.
Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for his week one performance after he finished with a team high 64 receiving yards while reeling in all four of his targets against the Philadelphia Eagles .
Advertisement
Williams drew just over 60% of the votes and beat Tampa Bay linebacker Josiah Trotter, Miami wide receiver Caleb Douglas and Tennessee linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. to earn the first weekly award of the 2026 regular season. Williams also becomes the latest Commanders rookie to earn the honor after quarterback Jayden Daniels drew the award 11 times in 2024 along with cornerback Mike Sainristil once, while both wide receiver Jaylin Lane and running back Bill Croskey-Merritt drew the honor last season.
The rookie slot receiver also emerged as a fourth quarter standout where his touchdown with 61 seconds left not only marked his first career NFL touchdown, but gave the offense one final chance at overtime. Though it ended with a failed two point attempt as a result of poor blocking, the Clemson product showed why he can be the impact piece that he was viewed to be after being selected on day two of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Yet Williams was also the second Commander to be honored after safety Tyler Owens earned the unofficial weekly 'Angry Runs' award from Kyle Brandt of Good Morning Football. The hard hitting safety went viral for one of his two reps as the gunner on special teams where he fought off multiple Eagles defenders before delivering an open field tackle. Yet it proved to be the one that was highlighted with Owens carving a role for himself on the 53 man roster after an encouraging showing through preseason.
"He's been making these types of plays where he's got great speed to offer. The covering is what sets him apart," head coach Dan Quinn said of Owens this week.
Advertisement
"What I do love about him is he's nailing the role that's been given to him and there's no denying that."
Owens was among the players to battle injuries coming out of the week one loss, though he returned to practice on Wednesday with lingering uncertainty surrounding both linebacker Frankie Luvu and tight end Chig Okonkwo. Owens also downplayed the severity of his injury during a TV appearance on Tuesday discussing his viral special teams plays, setting the former undrafted free agent up with the chance to suit back up in week two.
Before hosting the Seattle Seahawks for the home opener, the Commanders are set to face the Dallas Cowboys this weekend with kickoff once again set for 4:25 PM on FOX.
