Jayden Daniels Injury Concerns: 3 Commanders Cut Candidates on Chopping Block

Jayden Daniels' health is a concern for the Washington Commanders as they head into the 2026 NFL training camp. The team is hoping for better health from the quarterback, but they still need to address the receiver room.

What happened?

The Commanders have many question marks on their roster, and while that opens opportunities, it also means a lot of guys aren’t safe to make it. When margins are thin, fewer players feel comfortable about their 53-man chances. Here are three Commanders cut candidates who are on the chopping block as the team enters the 2026 NFL training camp.

Why it matters for Jayden Daniels

The Commanders are hoping for better health from Jayden Daniels, but they still need to address the receiver room. With roster tightening on the horizon, three players are on the chopping block. The Commanders have many question marks on their roster, and while that opens opportunities, it also means a lot of guys aren’t safe to make it.

What comes next?

Rookies will report to Ashburn, Virginia, for training camp on July 24, according to commanderswire.com. Veterans are scheduled to come in on July 28. The first practice will take place on July 29. Here are the cut candidates.

WR Treylon Burks

It says a lot about the Commanders' roster malfeasance when Burks is in the mix for a roster spot. He has size and is a former first-round pick. But let’s look at the production, according to atozsports. “He was incredibly inefficient in limited time, averaging a poor 45.5% catch rate and an abysmal 0.85 yards per route run,” Evan Winter wrote. “For full context: A decent YPPR mark sits around 1.75, meaning Burks reached about half of that threshold.”

If Burks can stay fully healthy, maybe he makes it through to Week 1. But consider his NFL career to date. He played in 11 games in 2022, 11 more in 2023, five in 2024, and eight last year. There isn’t a history suggesting he’s made for the NFL. Some guys are. Some aren’t. But think about how the Commanders have valued him. He currently stands as WR4. That means he’s one nick away from being a starter. And considering Luke McCaffrey is WR2 and Antonio Williams is WR3, the Commanders might need a different starter. And right now, that guy is Burks. But he’s not even guaranteed to make the roster.

However, if the Commanders come to their senses and sign, say, Stefon Diggs, then Burks wouldn’t be in the starting mix. He could be a down-the-row depth piece. That makes more sense. Maybe he’s a guy who could come off the bench in a pinch and make a highlight catch. He had one of those against the Broncos last year. And there is this report in Burks’ favor from earlier this year, according to commanders.com. “Treylon Burks continues to make plays in Blough's offense,” Zach Selby wrote. “He had another pair of catches during practice today. And while the Commanders aren't in a rush to name a No. 2 wideout, Burks has made his case that he should be the player going forward.”

RB Jerome Ford

The good news for Ford is that he has shown NFL ability. The bad news is the Commanders have a crowded running back room behind expected starter Jacory Croskey-Merritt. First, Merritt hasn’t proven he’s a true RB1 in the NFL. That opens the door for Rachaad White. But he hasn’t been spectacular in his career, either. Also in the mix are rookies Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry Jr. The younger players could work for or against Ford. If the Commanders decide Merritt can get the job done, they might be tempted to keep Allen and/or Henry. If they aren’t sure about Merritt, they may want another veteran like Ford. That would mean cutting one of the rookies.

Things working for Ford on the field include explosiveness, pass-catching skills, pass protection, and special teams ability. Don’t underestimate the importance of those last two. Being very good in those areas can make a big difference in a player’s chances of making the roster.

Other Cut Candidates

The Commanders have many question marks on their roster, and while that opens opportunities, it also means a lot of guys aren’t safe to make it. When margins are thin, fewer players feel comfortable about their 53-man chances. Here are the cut candidates.

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