Commanders 'Feel Really Good' About 53-Man Roster Preparation, Says Coach Rivera

In our final training camp practice of the year, Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera says the impact of preseason injuries shouldn't weigh too heavily on the initial 53-man roster.

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders entered training camp looking to get better and avoid the hated injury bug that every NFL team has to deal with at some point or another. 

While the Commanders haven't gotten out of training camp completely clean in that department, there are many other teams not as lucky as even this one is, and that in and of itself is a win and a good launching point for our final training camp notebook of the year.

HEALTH AND WELL WISHES

Washington has injuries being dealt with by plenty of big names right now. 

Receiver Terry McLaurin (toe), defensive end Chase Young (stinger), and tight end Logan Thomas (calf) are just three of the impact players dealing with issues as Washington wrapped training camp on Thursday. 

Still, even with those, the context of the injuries leave room for optimism. 

"I believe not," coach Ron Rivera said when asked if the injuries would impact the initial 53-man roster to be set by Tuesday afternoon. "Where we are right now I think all these guys are guys that we feel really good about in terms of our preparation...We'll be meeting on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to discuss all that."

ELEPHANT ON THE FIELD

Even with one more game to play for the Commanders the focus in conversation has already turned to Tuesday afternoon's cuts and the eventual initial 53-man roster. 

Who will make it and who won't has mostly been decided already, even if the team won't come out and say it. But there are spots up for grabs heading into the weekend with two players specifically getting extra attention from coach Rivera as they face the Bengals.

With one cut day this year compared to multiple in some years past, coach Rivera says this method provides the best opporunity for Washington's roster. 

"I think it's an excellent idea (and) I'm really glad they did that because what it does for us is obviously we will be able to hold some guys out specifically," Rivera said. "But we also know that we have enough guys to get through the game and have a good game."

ROOKIES TO WATCH

The Commanders will be watching every player that steps onto the playing field Saturday of course, but coach Rivera pointed out guard/center Ricky Stromberg and defensive back Quan Martin specifically. 

For Martin, drafted for his versatility, he had a solid bounceback game against the Ravens after a not-so-good debut against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. 

Stromberg on the other hand was drafted to be a center but has since gotten cross-trained at guard in training camp, a position he last played his freshman year of college at Arkansas.

Both young men are expected to make the initial 53-man roster, but showing they can be versatile pieces of their respective units will give Washington more flexibility when chosing where to overload and perhaps understaff their units to begin the regular season.

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

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