Washington Commanders DB Quan Martin Has to 'Earn Right' for Defensive Snaps
Washington Commanders defensive back Quan Martin's rookie year hasn't exactly played out the way one may have expected when considering his status as a top-50 draft pick and preseason standout.
Through the season's first four weeks, Martin is yet to play a defensive snap and has only one tackle to his name, coming on special teams in last Sunday's 34-31 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Martin, 23, has played in at least 60 percent of Washington's special teams snaps in each of the three games he's played in; he missed Week 2 due to a concussion.
But the Commanders didn't select Martin to be just a special teams contributor - so what's the deal with his playing time?
Commanders coach Ron Rivera cited the depth and talent his team has at safety, with Darrick Forrest, Kam Curl and Percy Butler all holding key roles.
That said, even with Martin's lack of defensive involvement, there's still plenty of optimism that he'll grow into a difference-making presence on the back end.
“We do have high expectations for him, and it is just a matter of time, but you also got to consider the position he plays," Rivera said. "It's a good group of young guys, and when you've got that many guys, the opportunities, they're not going to come.
"We're trying to make sure he's ready, that when that opportunity is there, that he gets the opportunity to go out and play and perform by being ready to go.”
Commanders rookie Quan Martin impressed over the summer but finds himself buried on the team's depth chart.
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The challenge for Washington now becomes finding the right balance between getting Martin's feet wet and not compromising the secondary.
The Commanders currently rank No. 20 league-wide in passing defense, allowing 230 yards per game through the air. Curl leads the team in solo tackles with 23 and is tied with linebacker Cody Barton in total tackles at 37. Forrest is fourth with 22 total.
Washington took Martin because it wants him to play and make an impact - but the former Illinois standout isn't going to be given a job just because of pedigree, Rivera asserted.
“When somebody's playing, you're not going to make changes to make changes or just say, ‘Oh yeah, well we drafted him, we got to play him,’" Rivera said. "They got to earn the right to get on the field too. They got to beat out whoever's in that position.
"Those guys that are in front of him are all very good football players. At least we believe so.”
Martin's next chance at defensive playing time comes Thursday night, when the Commanders (2-2) host the Chicago Bears (0-4) for an 8:15 p.m. EST kickoff inside FedEx Field.
