Washington Expected to Sign Byron Cowart After D.J. Davidson Retirement — Commanders Daily

The Commanders are expected to add veteran defensive tackle Byron Cowart after D.J. Davidson’s retirement. Plus, David Blough praises Jayden Daniels’ transition in Washington’s new offense, and Trey Amos is dealing with an ankle injury.

Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Byron Cowart (93) takes the field before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Commanders are expected to add veteran defensive tackle Byron Cowart after D.J. Davidson’s retirement. Plus, David Blough praises Jayden Daniels’ transition in Washington’s new offense, and Trey Amos is dealing with an ankle injury. | Philip Hughes | HTTR4LIFE LLC

The Washington Commanders are not done making changes to the bottom of their roster, as reports from Ben Standig on Team 980 indicate the team plans to sign defensive tackle Byron Cowart. Cowart would help fill the opening created by DJ Davidson, who unexpectedly retired this past weekend.

Cowart has appeared in regular-season games for New England, Indianapolis, and Chicago since leaving the University of Maryland. The four-year veteran has appeared in 51 career games after entering the league as a fifth-round pick of the New England Patriots. In those 51 games, he's started 21, recorded 67 tackles (10 for loss), had seven quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks, and deflected a pass.

Cowart spent most of last season on injured reserve with an ankle issue, making his health and how quickly he can get back into football shape a major part of what Washington will have to evaluate. The move fits into the Commanders' broader approach to camp this year of raising the level of competition, rather than just bringing in a bunch of camp bodies. While Cowart will not walk through the door with a guaranteed role, his experience gives Washington another legitimate option behind its established defensive tackles after Davidson’s exit.

The Commanders are expected to sign DT Byron Cowart, per source.

4-year vet (51 games) and ex-Terp. Was one of 8 players to work out for Washington today.

IDL depth after DJ Davidson retired.

He spent most of last season on IR (ankle).

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 11, 2026

More shuffling at the bottom of the roster https://t.co/2Ddey9ulpp

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 11, 2026

David Blough Likes What He Is Seeing From Jayden Daniels

Offensive coordinator David Blough spoke to reporters Monday and gave an evaluation of Jayden Daniels as Washington continues installing its new offensive scheme around its quarterback. Blough said the staff tracks Daniels’ throws and compares his accuracy and completion data across multiple seasons rather than relying solely on how practice looks.

Sure. He hasn’t missed a beat. We track everything. We’ve tracked every throw he’s made over the last three years, so we have metrics to measure all of those statistics. And he’s as accurate as he’s ever been. He’s completed as many passes as he ever has.

And it’s just a testament to asking him to do something different and him wanting to grow and evolve. And that’s what this is all about for our whole group. The version you see here won’t be the same version of this offense you see next year, and into everywhere you go. We just will continue to evolve.

So, I’m proud of him, the work he’s put into it up until this point, and he hasn’t missed a beat.

Commanders OC David Blough

Trey Amos’ Early Exit Traced to Ankle Issue

Sep 21, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Trey Amos (23) jumps to make a catch as Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'E Thornton Jr. (10) defends during the first half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This past Saturday, cornerback Trey Amos left practice early without any reason given by the team. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday that Amos tweaked his ankle while defending Terry McLaurin on a deep ball. Quinn indicated Amos could miss roughly a day or two while the team evaluates him.

Amos just returned to practice Friday after spending the beginning of camp working back from the fractured fibula that ended his 2025 season. This new injury may threaten his status as Washington prepares for Wednesday’s joint practice against Miami.

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