Commanders News: Practice Shakeups, Rising Rookies, and 53-Man Locks

Washington Commanders news roundup — Your daily Commanders digest: Takeaways from Dan Quinn's added Day 15 practice, Athan Kaliakmanis' QB3 push, film review, and Antonio Williams' rising stock. | HTTR4LIFE LLC

The Burgundy Roundup brings together the best Washington Commanders reporting, analysis, interviews, and other worthwhile reads from around the web, along with selected coverage from Commanders On SI.

Don't forget to send your Mailbag questions to: hailbng+si@gmail.com

3 Things We Learned From Commanders’ Added Day 15 Training Camp Practice

The Washington Commanders unexpectedly added a Day 15 practice to the training camp schedule that was originally scheduled as a walk-through. The practice gives them three consecutive days of work before Wednesday's joint practice session with the Ravens. Monday's session ran about an hour and featured limited 11-on-11 work, so the main value came from Dan Quinn talking about the coming week before the practice session. That said, let's take a look at three things we learned from Day 15.
To continue reading this article, CLICK HERE...

Today's workout players for Washington:

LB Carlos 'Boogie' Basham (2021 2nd round pick)
DB Joshua Bledsoe
DT C.J. Brewer (last 3 years with Tampa Bay)
DE Demone Harris (UFL player
DB Quindell Johnson (UFL)
DB Tysheem Johnson
DE Derrick McLendon
DB Mike Smith
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 24, 2026

Second thoughts Following the Lions Preseason Game | John Keim Report

John gives his second thoughts following Washington's second preseason game against the Detroit Lions. John discusses: Dan Quinn clearly not happy with Saturday's performance after adding another practice to the schedule, Sonny Styles surprisingly receiving hate online, Kaytron Allen continues to impress, and more.

Washington Commanders Whiteboard: Notes and observations from preseason Week 2

Good-Jones getting driven into the backfield disrupted several offensive plays, including backside pulls, but parts of the lineup also lack the movement skills to wall off defenders and create holes in the run game. Rookie Matt Gulbin didn’t look close to starting at guard in his second appearance in a Commanders uniform, and neither did most of the team outside of right guard Sam Cosmi.

The issues don’t all come from personnel. Zone schemes are based on timing and cohesion, and the current version of the Commanders’ offensive line does not have it. Tight end John Bates is known as one of the better blockers in the league, but after missing most of training camp with an injury, he failed to set up his run block on the second offensive play of the game, and the rep quickly led to a sack.
To continue reading this article, CLICK HERE...

6 Commanders Who Have Played Their Way Onto the 53-Man Roster

QB Athan Kaliakmanis

No player on the team has increased their roster standing more dramatically than Athan Kaliakmanis. In a span of just a few months, he's gone from a seventh-round rookie competing for a chance to be in the developmental quarterback battle to owning it. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota's MCL injury opened the door for an extended competition between Sam Hartman and Kaliakmanis. Against Detroit, Kaliakmanis was 11 of 14 for 162 yards and no turnovers; his passer rating was 114.9. His passes produced the longest offensive plays of the game for Washington with a 55-yard pass to Nick Nash, a 30-yarder to Jaden Bradley, and a 21-yarder to Antonio Williams. Quinn acknowledged both Hartman and Kaliakmanis, saying the competition was ongoing; he also praised the downfield shots and accuracy against man coverage, clearly giving Kaliakmanis' performance more weight as they head to Baltimore. While Hartman has one final opportunity to change the conversation, Kaliakmanis has played well enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
To continue reading this article, CLICK HERE...

Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype! Award: Who has the most hype after Week 2?

The preseason is almost over, with one more joint practice and game to go against the Baltimore Ravens this week. The Washington Commanders visited the Detroit Lions for the second game, and we got a one-series look at Jayden Daniels, then some extended time with the backups. There were some bottom of the roster guys that stood out like WRs Jaden Bradley and Nick Nash. Sixth-round pick Kaytron “Fatman” Allen takes the lead as top preseason back. Is there really a competition for QB3? Two defenders make some noise at the bottom of the depth chart.
To continue reading this article, CLICK HERE...

Commanders rookie Antonio Williams is becoming much harder to keep hidden

The Commanders are trying to keep Williams hidden, to a certain extent. He may not play all that much in their preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens, Included a stunning grab in the air for a 21-yard gain, showcasing his strength and concentration to full effect. There is competition for places behind McLaurin and Diggs on the wide receiver depth chart, but the rookie is doing more than enough to gain his fair share of targets within new offensive coordinator David Blough's scheme.
To continue reading this article, CLICK HERE...

Athan Kaliakmanis Builds Momentum in Commanders' Quarterback Battle

Except unlike Mariota, who's repeatedly stepped in to take charge of the Commanders whenever Daniels has had to tend to his injuries, Hartman's still yet to check into an NFL game. He's functioned more as Daniels' caddy as the perennial third-stringer, a position that the previously undrafted Hartman has enjoyed without much competition through two full-season stints.

Except now, there's a new deep-cut gunslinger crowding the quarterback room, and unlike the regular benchwarmer in Hartman, Athan Kaliakmanis actually looks poised to challenge the positional hierarchy. And for anyone who wasn't yet aware of his ambitions to rise up D.C.'s totem pole, his most recent preseason exhibition served as yet another advertisement of what he's capable of offering.
To continue reading this article, CLICK HERE...

Commanders fans,

This might be the most important information coming out of today's practice.

I asked rookie QB Athan Kaliakmanis about his football nicknames.

Athan has proudly signed off on The Baklava Bomber! pic.twitter.com/5Q3JH0r2NA
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) August 24, 2026

Sign up for our free newsletter and follow the Burgundy & Gold on Facebook and the Commanders on SI on X for the latest news. You can also subscribe to our Facebook Messenger News Channel, which is the fastest and easiest way to actually see our articles while on any Meta product.

Add us as a preferred source on Google