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Commanders' Emmanuel Forbes 'Playing Faster,' Says Kendall Fuller

Washington Commanders' rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes is already making an impact.

It hasn't taken long for Emmanuel Forbes to make his presence felt at training camp. 

The Washington Commanders rookie cornerback has been disruptive throughout training camp with multiple breakups and interceptions before a minor injury to his groin on Friday. Forbes' play along with his ability to improve mentally and recognize plays quicker has caught the eye of veteran cornerback Kendall Fuller. 

Fuller, who is entering his sixth season with Washington, had three interceptions in 2022 and ran two of them back for a touchdown. 

“I think he's just starting to play faster," Fuller said. "When you first get in there, trying to learn the defense and things like that sometimes you allow your mental process to slow you down. He's been coming out here mentally starting to pick it up faster, so you see him reacting faster to certain plays and certain routes and things like that. So, he's definitely improving each and every day.”

If there was one area of Washington's defense that had to improve from last season, its the secondary. The Commanders were 28th in the NFL in interceptions last season with nine. No player fit the bill better to improve Washington in that department than Forbes. 

Forbes had 14 interceptions across his three seasons at Mississippi State, six of which were returned for a touchdown. Six pick-sixes are tied for No. 1 all-time in NCAA history. 

If Forbes can continue to play fast and improve mentally, he may be exactly what the Commanders defense needs to improve this season. 


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