Hogs Haven
Washington Post (paywall)
The Commanders’ top receiver was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, but he’s no sure bet to play Sunday at Dallas.
[A]s the Commanders prepare to visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, McLaurin’s status remains a question — if not a bit of a mystery — for the fourth straight week as he continues to work his way back from a quadriceps injury of undisclosed severity.
McLaurin practiced Wednesday for the first time since suffering the injury Sept. 21, albeit in a limited capacity. Coach Dan Quinn noted it was a light practice at a “jog-through” pace.
“I’ll have a better assessment after we go through some full-speed routes and movements to see where he’s at,” Quinn said. “But I’m excited where he’s trending.”
Quinn has remained coy about McLaurin’s status.
“[He’s] working as hard as he can to come back from it, and he’s putting all the work in,” Quinn said Sept. 26. “So I would say he’s week-to-week as we’re hitting it.”
The following week, ahead of the trip to Los Angeles, Quinn said McLaurin was “trending up.” Last week, Quinn said “we’re optimistic” about McLaurin ahead of Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears. In the meantime, McLaurin was spotted working on a side field with trainers and strength coaches but not catching passes or participating in practice.
Roster updates
The Commanders opened the 21-day practice window for cornerback Jonathan Jones (hamstring). He was placed on injured reserve following the Week 2 loss at Green Bay. Washington has until Week 10 to add him to the active roster.
The Commanders signed guard Julian Good-Jones to the practice squad Wednesday after releasing guard Tyler Cooper from the practice squad the day before. They also announced the signing of defensive end Drake Jackson, who is returning from a knee injury and may not be able to play for a while.
The Athletic (paywall)
Takeaways
A hallmark of Quinn’s and Whitt’s defenses in Dallas was their ability to force turnovers. The Cowboys led the league in takeaways in 2021 and 2022, finding production from both starters and reserves.
Washington’s defense has yet to find similar success. The team had only four takeaways in the first six weeks of last season, but by Week 7 it found its rhythm, forcing at least one turnover in nine of its last 11 regular-season games.
This season is off to an even slower start, with three takeaways — two interceptions and a recovered fumble. Washington has had opportunities for others, but didn’t fully capitalize because of a drop or a penalty.
“I’ve had a history of getting a bunch of them in my past, and they don’t come on good thrown balls,” Whitt said earlier this month. “They come on poorly thrown balls. They come on running tips and overthrows, and things such...
