Marshon Lattimore is getting closer to playing on Sunday after missing time due to a hamstring injury, according to Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn.
This would allow the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback to make his debut for the Commanders against the New Orleans Saints, six weeks after being traded there in early November. On Wednesday, Lattimore fully participated in practice for the first time since the trade.
“We’ll take it through the whole week,” Quinn said. “We’re not going to miss one step with him and the practicing and hitting all the markers. If it trends that way good, then (he will) go.”
Whether it’s this Sunday or on December 22 against the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles, the Commanders expect to add Lattimore to their defense soon as they aim for the playoffs. Washington is 8-5 coming off its bye week and released 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes earlier this month, partly in anticipation of Lattimore’s arrival.
The news isn’t as positive for wide receiver Noah Brown, who Quinn said will be out for an extended period due to what he called a “significant internal injury.” Brown left the game on December 1 against Tennessee due to what was initially thought to be a rib issue, but he was listed with a kidney injury on Wednesday’s practice report.
“Tough news on Noah: He’s going to be out for a while,” Quinn said. “We love him and his play style, the identity of how he goes and so that one hurts. He’s been absolutely one of our glue guys.
During the game, between him and the medical staff, they did a really good job to address what was a serious injury. Fortunately, he’s going to be OK, but it’s going to knock him out for a bit.”
Signed in late August after being cut from Houston’s roster, Brown became one of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ top targets. He has 35 catches for 453 yards, including the game-winning Hail Mary touchdown against Chicago on October 27.
“He’s an impactful player,” Daniels said of Brown. “We’re praying and hoping for a speedy recovery. We’re always here for him. That’s our brother, so nothing changes on our side.”
The Commanders claimed 27-year-old wide receiver K.J. Osborn off waivers from New England. With Brown potentially out for the rest of the regular season, others like Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and rookie Luke McCaffrey will need to step up.
“We know that we’ve got to step up as a unit — and not just one person but everybody,” Zaccheaus said. “It’s going to be a group effort. I think we’ll all just be rotating in there as we usually do. We’ll see on game day.”
Starting right tackle Andrew Wylie cleared concussion protocol and fully participated in practice. Running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) and kicker Austin Seibert (groin) are on injured reserve and will miss at least the next three games against the Saints, Eagles, and Falcons.
