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

While training camp roster projections are largely built on expectations, two preseason games give the Washington Commanders crucial game evidence to help them as final cuts approach. A small group of individuals entered the summer fighting for jobs and have done enough through practices, a joint session, and preseason games to reach the point where a roster spot should be more than a dream at this point. Below are six players whose performances have strengthened their positions enough that leaving them off the initial roster would now be difficult to justify.

1. 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.

#Commanders QB Athan Kaliakmanis (The Greek Rifle) All-22 vs the Lions

• 11 for 14 passing (79%)
• 162 pass yds
• 114.9 RTG
• 92.4 PFF grade #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/j0tXnFAMNT
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) August 23, 2026

2. EDGE Joshua Josephs

Joshua Josephs has progressed significantly since arriving as a fifth-round developmental pick. The former Tennessee Vol has forced his way into Washington's plans throughout camp, and once pads came out, he started separating himself from others. Josephs' particular case has been building at each stage over several weeks. Quinn noticed early on what type of player he had. "I feel his length as a pass rusher. How does that come to life? Long arm. Gain separation on offensive tackle," Quinn said earlier in camp. "He’s got a nice natural bend to him." Josephs recovered a fumble for his first NFL touchdown against the Lions Saturday after cornerback Amik Robertson strip-sacked Detroit QB Josh Dobbs. Josephs has long since passed the "will he make the roster" questions; now the more interesting question involves how many rotational snaps Washington can find for him.

Commanders rookie Joshua Josephs earned this touchdown. Won quickly and his pressure forced Dobbs to escape left - into Amik Robertson. Then hauled his ass off and ripped the ball out of the lineman's hand for a touchdown. Impact play. #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/TPZR9t10CB
— Jamual (@LetMualTellit) August 23, 2026

3. RB Kaytron Allen

Kaytron Allen was drafted into a room that only had one running back returning, Jacory Croskey-Merritt; eventually, Jeremy McNichols re-signed. Allen has responded confidently every single time, going back to rookie OTAs when the buzz started that he was going to make some roster noise this year. In the Miami preseason opener, Allen had 23 carries for 85 yards (no loss of yards on any carry) and a touchdown after injuries kept Jerome Ford and others off the field. Allen then was given another ten carries against Detroit, a sign the staff is comfortable with him. After Allen and fellow rookie Robert Henry Jr. stepped up when Ford went out, Quinn had this to say, "There was really no flinch from these guys playing on teams, returning, and so that was a good sign."

4. DT Maurice Hurst II

Maurice Hurst II presents a different story altogether. Hurst was signed after Johnny Newton suffered his pectoral injury, adding another interior pass-rush option at a time when Washington suddenly needed depth there. In his first opportunity with the team in preseason, Hurst produced five combined tackles, two sacks for 17 yards, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits against Detroit. The value hidden in this one is that the Commanders do not need Hurst to become a starter or replace Newton, as the team plans on doing that by committee, and Hurst’s ability to create interior pressure gives him a specific role that is now much easier to justify on the 53.

Every sack from yesterday’s game vs. Detroit.

The defense finished with 5 sacks on the day, highlighted by DT Maurice Hurst II (2.0 sacks) and a strip-sack TD from CB Amik Robertson.

Is Daronte Jones cooking? 🧑‍🍳#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/KWmFss2YV1
— SleeperCommanders (@SleeperWSH) August 23, 2026

5. K Drew Stevens

This is probably the easiest name to include in this list since he's officially already won the kicking battle. But Drew Stevens had to earn his way onto the 53-man roster after getting signed as an undrafted free agent. Stevens earned the spot by staying consistent against an erratic incumbent in Jake Moody. Stevens then turned around after winning the job and hit field goals from 27 and 32 yards, along with his extra point, accounting for seven of Washington’s 13 points against the Lions.

6. S Tyler Owens

Tyler Owens best represents how much Washington’s final roster can be shaped by contributions that extend beyond traditional defensive statistics. His combination of athleticism, versatility, and special teams skills makes him an invaluable commodity. Will Harris offers substantially more NFL experience, but Owens currently gives Washington more ways to use the final safety spot and appears to be a perfect match for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' system. Harris still has time to change that decision, but Owens has done enough this summer to deserve the roster spot.

While the Baltimore joint practice session and preseason game could certainly change several decisions, these six have already done more than earn their spot in contention through two preseason games. Washington entered camp with questions about all six players, and with final cuts approaching, each has supplied enough evidence that the harder question may now be what would have to happen for the Commanders to leave them off.

Tyler Owens blows it up 💥

Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/mroSBCRtHK
— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2026

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