Commanders OTA Notebook: TEs Take Focus, Sam Howell Shows Resilience

On the first day of open practice with the Washington Commanders' rookies and veterans in attendance tight end Armani Rogers' injury was the early focus and quarterback Sam Howell's performance was expectedly under the microscope.

ASHBURN, Va. -- We got our first look at the 2023 Washington Commanders with veterans and rookies present for the first open practice of OTA's. 

Ahead of practice, Commanders coach Ron Rivera told us second-year tight end Armani Rogers suffered a non-contact injury to his Achilles on Tuesday and would not be present. 

It's a disappointing end to the season for a young player who impressed unexpectedly as a quarterback convert last year and was looking to take additional strides in offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's offense. 

Comments from Washington's veteran tight end Logan Thomas lead off our three observations from Wednesday's practice ...

OVER BEFORE IT STARTED

There was a lot said about how Bieniemy's offense might elevate the play and usage of Commanders' tight ends. 

With Rogers' injury, he'll miss out on the first year of trying to take advantage of that perception, and it's a loss that matters to Thomas as a teammate, but also as another human being that's been through similar injury experiences in his own career.

"It hurt my heart," Thomas said. "We were standing right behind him (when it happened)...I talked to him yesterday and told him that there's going to be some dark days and when those days come my number is always available, call me. Because it sucks, man. Not even during the season tearing an Achilles and not having your second season really and knowing what your grind is to come back is going to be at least 10 months."

Thomas says he's confident Rogers will come out on the other side better, but his heart certainly goes out to the young tight end as he embarks on a difficult path toward recovery. 

RE-TURNER

Speaking of tight ends, second-year pro Cole Turner was an OTA and training camp star last season before injuries halted his progress and appeared to have hampered his ability to get back in the fold in offensive coordinator Scott Turner's rotation.

This season presents a new opportunity and coming off of more time to heal Turner looks to have regained some of the playmaking ability he flashed at this time last year. 

He was heavily involved in team drills and targeted often by the quarterbacks. 

Asked about the potential in Turner, Thomas said this new offense suits a guy like him perfectly, opening the door to even more excitement as the installation progresses.

HOWELL WATCH

Quarterback Sam Howell knows he's going to have eyes on him at every practice as Washington's newest attempt to find a solidified starter.

Like the top guys before him everyone is looking for signs Howell can be the answer, and one promising sign will be his ability to bounce back from mistakes in one practice. 

Conducting red zone work in team drills Howell threw a ball into a heavily trafficked area of the field that was promptly intercepted and run by safety Percy Butler. 

It was as good a play by Butler as it was a bad place to try and fit the ball in by Howell. 

But the bad news didn't stop there as Howell was scolded by Bieniemy for not pursuing the defender after the interception. 

"You threw it, you go get it!," Bieniemy could be heard yelling to his quarterback. 

Howell's period of work ended shortly after, and he walked off to talk to Bieniemy followed by a brief conference with Rivera before he took his place with the other quarterbacks observing the second-team's red zone session. 

When Howell got back on the field, however, he looked more poised, made better decisions, and eventually got his offense into the end zone. 

It's a singular moment that demonstrates the ability to work through adversity, be coached hard, and come out on the other side better.

At this stage, that's all you can ask to see from the Commanders' second-year quarterback.

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

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