Washington

Commanders

Bates strained his hamstring in practice on Thursday. The veteran blocking tight end’s absence likely won’t change much as long as it doesn’t linger into the season. Ben Sinnott will likely get more opportunities in training camp.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn also said the team doesn’t see the soreness as a long-term issue, but it is a disappointing follow-up to what was reportedly a strong showing for Burks at the first training camp practice. The Commanders have a very thin wide receiver corps, so every injury matters. Hopefully, Burks is back before long.

The deal is worth “up to” $7 million, presumably with the “up to” doing some heavy lifting. Trying to wait out underwhelming free agent offers until the right opportunity presented itself, 30-year-old Samuel has found the perfect opportunity in reuniting with coach Kyle Shanahan and company. Although his efficiency had been declining even before last season’s trade to the Commanders, we have little doubt it will rebound to a degree under Shanny. The question becomes where he fits in a receiver jigsaw that includes an injured Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk, aging Mike Evans, and unproven De’Zhaun Stribling. Samuel isn’t going to be the usage monster of his prime, but then again, the 49ers also lack proven backfield touches behind Christian McCaffrey. Perhaps even “rushing Samuel” will be in for something of a revival. Although summer fantasy drafters might have been hoping for Samuel to end up in a skill corps with less touch competition, this is ultimately a good outcome for those hoping for top-40 upside.

The Commanders fired Ben Steele from the tight end coaching role after a DWI arrest in June. Welker joined the team as an offensive assistant last offseason and will now transition to coaching the tight ends. Head coach Dan Quinn said Welker’s title is not official, but he will be in charge of Chig Okonkwo, Ben Sinnott, and the rest of the tight end room in training camp.

Though he is expected to miss the start of camp, the Commanders don’t expect Way’s injury to be a long-term concern. Additionally, LB Kain Medrano (hamstring) will also miss the start of camp. Both Medrano and Way are not expected to be long-term absences and should be back on the practice field before the season.

Bellore turned 37 in May. One of the league’s longest-tenured linchpin special teamers, Bellore spent what ended up being the final two years of his career with the Commanders. A two-time Pro Bowler, Bellore started zero games on defense after 2019. He was nevertheless valuable enough on the third unit to stick around another six seasons. He has the kind of résumé that could easily lead to a coaching career if he’s interested.

According to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, Steele was arrested on suspicion of DWI on June 7 and is also facing charges for refusing blood/breath tests and obstructing or resisting an officer without force. Steele was hired by the Commanders in February and spent time with head coach Dan Quinn in Atlanta from 2019-2020.

The opportunity to play with Jayden Daniels and spend a season playing in front of his hometown could be enough to entice Diggs, a DMV native, to join the Commanders. There are reportedly four other teams that have also expressed interest in the 32-year-old receiver, but a signing does not appear imminent at this time. Diggs is nearly two years removed from the torn ACL that ended his 2024 season, and he still managed to post an 85-1,013-4 line in his lone season with the Patriots while appearing on just 55 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. We would expect the veteran receiver to find a new home sooner than later, especially with all teams set to being training camp later this week.

Moore caught 11 passes with the Commanders last season. He initially entered the NFL as a 2016 fourth-round pick with the Ravens, and spent five seasons in Baltimore. The Ravens brought him aboard today after a workout that also included free agent WRs Sterling Shepard and Dante Pettis.

Well, let’s see if we can get a few Instagram posts off that change minds, Brandon. Aiyuk and the 49ers are at an impasse and he has not posted on his social accounts that he’s not “doing business” with the 49ers at this time, and unless he reports to the 49ers they can’t actually release him anyway. This situation has turned from a fait accompli that he’d eventually join the Commanders into something that surely has them second-guessing things, as reported by Nicki Jhavala of The Athletic earlier last month.