Commanders Finalize Initial 53, Then Move Tunsil and Newton to IR
- PowerPage Sports Staff
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Commanders initial 53 is now official, and Washington immediately followed the cutdown with another round of roster movement. Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis won the third-quarterback job, while tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton were placed on injured reserve after first making the active roster.
Kaliakmanis joins Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota in the quarterback room. The seventh-round pick separated himself with his mobility, arm strength and willingness to attack downfield during the preseason. Washington’s decision also allowed Sam Hartman, who competed for the same job, to return on the practice squad.
The initial roster gives Daniels a deeper collection of targets. Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs lead a receiver group that also includes Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane and Antonio Williams. The offense now has a veteran top pair with multiple speed and return options behind it.
The offensive line carries more uncertainty. Brandon Coleman has worked at left tackle while Tunsil recovers, and the active group also includes Chris Paul, Nick Allegretti, Sam Cosmi, Josh Conerly, Andrew Wylie, D.J. Humphries, Matt Gulbin and Tanoa Togiai. Tunsil’s move to injured reserve created one of two roster openings.
Washington used those openings to sign cornerback Fabian Moreau and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle as free agents after placing Tunsil and Newton on reserve/injured. The moves add immediate depth at two positions that looked thin when the team announced 34 releases a day earlier.
The Commanders also signed 12 players to the practice squad, including Hartman, running back Craig Reynolds and defensive tackle Byron Cowart. The names and designations will continue to change, but Monday’s transactions establish the first complete picture: Kaliakmanis stays, two injured starters shift to reserve, and two veterans return to fill the openings.
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