ASHBURN, Va. (AP) 鈥� Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn revealed that 鈥渁 good amount of starters鈥� will play during Saturday鈥檚 preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
鈥淎 lot of the guys who sat out for Miami will get an opportunity to get some work for this week,鈥� Quinn said. 鈥淎ll obviously different amounts.鈥�
Almost all of Washington鈥檚 starters did not play during last week鈥檚 preseason victory over the Miami Dolphins. was one of the few exceptions.
However, Quinn did not commit to playing starting quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders are dealing with numerous injuries, particularly on the offensive line, which the head coach said will factor into his decision to play the quarterback.
The Commanders鈥� quarterback room is already without Marcus Mariota, who is after suffering an MCL strain in his right knee against the Dolphins.
Washington has not brought in another quarterback since Mariota鈥檚 injury. Daniels has been taking reps with both the first- and second-team offenses in practice this week. If Daniels is held out, the Commanders will split time between Sam Hartman and rookie Athan Kaliakmanis under center.
Center Nick Allegretti, who鈥檚 missed most of training camp with a calf injury, will not travel with the team. Allegretti briefly returned to practice on Wednesday but left early with calf tightness.
Quinn said the imaging came back clean, though, and the team will evaluate his status on Sunday before determining if he can play during next week鈥檚 joint practice with Baltimore.
鈥淭here is some (concern),鈥� Quinn said on Allegretti. 鈥淎ny time you are not getting a lot of reps for a whole training camp, that鈥檚 a big deal. Even for a player for as experienced as Nick is, you want time on task to go.鈥�
Mariota and Allegretti are just two of several Commanders players sidelined. Cornerback Trey Amos (ankle), running backs Rachaad White (hamstring) and Jeremy McNichols (quad), linebackers Jordan Magee (shoulder), Odafe Oweh (calf) and K鈥橪avon Chaisson (knee) all missed Thursday鈥檚 practice.
That list doesn鈥檛 include left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who will miss significant time after undergoing surgery on a torn triceps, and defensive tackle Johnny Newton, whom Quinn confirmed will be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on a torn pectoral muscle.
Perhaps the healthiest position group on the Commanders roster is the wide receivers. It鈥檚 also the unit with the most internal competition 鈥� and what Quinn is specifically looking forward to watching on Saturday.
鈥淚 liked what I saw with some of the receivers from the opening game,鈥� he said. 鈥�(Jaylin) Lane was somebody that in the first game I thought had some nice catches, some nice movements. Same with Van (Jefferson).鈥�
Fun return to Detroit
Saturday鈥檚 preseason game will mark the first time the Commanders return to Detroit since knocking off the top-seeded Lions 45-31 in the divisional round of the 2024 playoffs.
It鈥檚 a memory many Washington players look back on fondly as they make their first trip to Ford Field since that game.
鈥淚 just remember that game was back and forth,鈥� tight end John Bates said. 鈥淥ur offense was hot; their offense was hot. It was one of those things where we felt like they couldn鈥檛 stop us. … Just a great memory (as we go) back to Detroit.鈥�
Cornerback Mike Sainristil, who had two of Washington’s four interceptions in that game, believes that game showcased the Commanders鈥� potential to the rest of the league.
鈥淲e knew what the stakes were going in there,鈥� Sainristil said. 鈥淭he way we were able to come out and perform showed the type of team (we are), that we belong to be there.鈥�
___
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
