Commanders Add LB Curtis Jacobs After Signing DT Byron Cowart

The Washington Commanders continued reshaping their defensive depth Tuesday, signing linebacker Curtis Jacobs hours after adding defensive tackle Byron Cowart.

Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Curtis Jacobs (52) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Washington Commanders worked out eight defensive players on Monday. The team liked what it saw from defensive tackle Byron Cowart and signed him Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon, they returned to that list and signed linebacker Curtis Jacobs.

We have signed LB Curtis Jacobs pic.twitter.com/ZnWtCxTxpr

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 11, 2026

The eight players in the workout group were DE Carlos Watkins, DT Byron Cowart, DT Fabien Lovett, DT Justin Rogers, LB Amari Burney, LB Power Echols, LB Devin Harper, and LB Curtis Jacobs. Washington has now signed two of those eight players, one defensive tackle and one linebacker.

Jacobs has appeared in 12 NFL games, starting two, for the Patriots and Titans, respectively. He also has spent time on a few practice squads and was a draft pick of the DC Defenders of the UFL, where he had 46 tackles, added a sack, and recovered a fumble across 12 games, including the playoffs. Jacobs was signed for positional depth behind Kain Medrano and Ale Kaho; he can also provide some special teams help. Cowart was signed earlier Tuesday morning following DJ Davidson's unexpected retirement, which created an opening along the defensive front.

STAYING IN DC 😤

Curtis Jacobs is signing with the Washington Commanders!#UFLtoNFL pic.twitter.com/rGOnsQrBxd

— DC Defenders (@UFLDefenders) August 11, 2026

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