6 Commanders on the roster bubble in preseason Week 2
· Yahoo Sports
The Washington Commanders face the Detroit Lions in the second preseason game on Saturday. Washington’s starters are expected to play, although how much remains up in the air. The Commanders, who are already banged up, will head to Baltimore next week for a joint practice with the Ravens. So, don’t be surprised if Washington’s starters have a short leash against the Lions.
That could be good news for several players battling for a spot on the 53-man roster. In previewing Saturday’s game, we named five position battles to watch. In those position battles, many listed may not make the roster. Over these final two games and the joint practice, some players need to stand out more than others.
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Here are six players on the roster bubble ahead of Saturday’s preseason game at Detroit.
QB Athan Kaliakmanis
This is not about how Kaliakmanis played last week. He looked good. Washington clearly likes him and knows it can put Sam Hartman back on the practice squad if it chooses. Kaliakmanis is on the bubble because it comes down to whether the Commanders want to keep two or three quarterbacks. Kaliakmanis has a good chance of making it through waivers and onto the practice squad, but it only takes one team. I’m not sure the Commanders want to take that chance.
RB Robert Henry Jr.
The undrafted rookie wasn’t really a bubble guy before training camp. Yes, the Commanders loved him, but felt he could make it to the practice squad as a rookie. However, last week changed everything. Henry went from potential practice squad back to squarely on the bubble. He should get a lot of time against the Lions, and the more he plays, the more that Washington will understand that he wouldn’t make it through waivers. The team giving him chances in the return game tells you they are looking for multiple ways he can contribute. That’s a good sign.
C Julian Good-Jones
All offseason, the Commanders told us directly or indirectly they felt great about their center position with Nick Allegretti as the starter and Julian Good-Jones as the backup. With Allegretti missing virtually all of training camp thus far, Good-Jones and rookie Matt Gulbin have received plenty of run. Gulbin has been extremely impressive and will make the roster. Good-Jones entered camp with a good chance of making the 53 because the Commanders needed a backup center. Unless they sign another veteran, which they probably should if one becomes available, Gulbin will likely be Washington’s backup center in 2026. Good-Jones needs a strong finish in the final two preseason games and against the Ravens in the joint practice.
EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste
A 2024 seventh-rounder, Jean-Baptiste flashed as a rookie with his length and outstanding athleticism. Unfortunately, an injury cost him his 2025 season. He’s healthy, but the Commanders are deep at edge rusher now. Jean-Baptiste has had a strong camp, but has been overshadowed by free-agent additions Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, and rookie Joshua Josephs. Jean-Baptiste needs to make some plays in these final two games. He’s capable. The Commanders have been impressed with his growth, but he still has work to do.
LB Kain Medrano
Here’s another position that is much deeper than it was one year ago. A sixth-round pick in 2025, Medrano played exclusively on special teams as a rookie. That won’t change in 2026. But with Sonny Styles, Frankie Luvu, Leo Chenal and Jordan Magee as roster locks, Medrano is likely battling Ale Kaho for the final linebacker spot. Both are great on special teams, but Medrano’s size and speed are more intriguing. However, Kaho can offer the Commanders more on defense if he’s forced into action. Washington GM Adam Peters will have to make some tough decisions. This is one of them. Medrano needs a strong finish. The Commanders don’t want to move on from Medrano or Kaho, but they can’t keep everyone.
S Will Harris
The Commanders signed Harris to a two-year deal last offseason to replace Jeremy Chinn in the lineup. Sadly, he was injured in Week 3 and missed much of the season. When he was on the field, the Commanders’ secondary communicated better. He also brings a physical presence to the position. Washington is deep at safety. Nick Cross is No. 1 and the strong safety. Harris has competed with Quan Martin and Jeremy Reaves at free safety. Reaves is the current leader there, but Martin’s showing last week helped his cause. Tyler Owens and Percy Butler are safe. Numbers will not allow Washington to keep more than five. As of now, we say Harris is the odd man out.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 6 Commanders on the roster bubble in preseason Week 2