Commanders Announce Release of Recently Reinstated DE Shaka Toney

Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney was recently reinstated by the NFL, but has now been released by the team.

Former Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney. / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday the Washington Commanders announced they've released defensive end Shaka Toney.

Toney was just recently reinstated to the Commanders after receiving an indefinite ban last year for violating the NFL's gambling policy along with several other members of the league.

With Washington adding several new members to the defensive end room this offseason Toney's release isn't necessarily a surprise even though he had shown some promise in the years prior to his suspension.

Former Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney. / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Toney was part of a solid Penn State alum presence in the locker room and spent both the 2021 and 22 seasons playing for the team.

In that time he appeared in 26 games making one start and tallying 1.5 sacks with three quarterback hits.

He got his most extensive playing time on defense in his rookie 2021 season appearing on 118 defensive snaps but played mostly special teams in 2022 with 318 reps compared to just 51 for then defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

Toney was a seventh round pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by Washington and was the 17th defensive end taken in the selection meeting that year.

He's the third member of the Commanders' 2021 draft class to depart the team following William Bradley-King who is now with the New England Patriots and long snapper Camaron Cheeseman who was released last season after struggling for much of the year.

Seven of the 10 players selected that year are still with the team as of now with linebacker Jamin Davis leading the group as the first round pick while offensive lineman Sam Cosmi has been the most consistently successful member of that class.

With Toney's departure Wahington now has eight defensive ends currently on its roster.