The Washington Commanders have made several key adjustments to their defensive lineup due to injuries. Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javonte Jean-Baptiste have been placed on injured reserve. Allen suffered a pectoral injury and will undergo season-ending surgery, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the year. In contrast, Jean-Baptiste, who is dealing with an ankle injury, could return in approximately four weeks, depending on his recovery.
To compensate for these losses, the Commanders have made a few roster moves. They signed free-agent defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes and promoted Sheldon Day from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster. Additionally, the team bolstered its practice squad by bringing in veteran defensive lineman Carl Davis.
Holmes, 28, is a recent free agent after being released by the New York Jets. Throughout his career, he has played for several teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears, after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Day, 30, also a former fourth-round pick, was selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has previously played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Vikings. Day had already made his debut with the Commanders earlier this season during their Week 1 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As these new additions prepare to fill the defensive void, the Commanders aim to stay competitive as they head into their Week 7 game against the Carolina Panthers. These roster changes reflect the team’s effort to reinforce their defense amid injuries and maintain their momentum in the 2024 NFL season.
