The Washington Commanders salvaged a morale-boosting win against the New York Giants in Week 2, but there is a tremendous amount for Dan Quinn and his coaching staff to work on. Nobody expected flawless football over the first few weeks. However, improvements must arrive quickly with some difficult-looking games upcoming on the schedule heading to the midway point of the campaign.
Some players are not living up to their billing so far. This is a constant assessment from Quinn and general manager Adam Peters in Year 1 of this substantial rebuild. They've already got plenty of food for thought regarding the future. Winning in the clutch versus the Giants doesn't change much - it just kept the team from digging themselves into a deeper hole.
This weekend will be a far greater test of their credentials. The Commanders travel to the Cincinnati Bengals for a mouth-watering Monday Night Football clash. It's a chance for Quinn to announce that his squad is no longer going to be one of the NFL's whipping boys. It's also an opportunity for Jayden Daniels to showcase why he should have been taken No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft over Caleb Williams.
For some, their statuses are less certain. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players players in danger of being benched after Week 2.
Commanders players who could benched after Week 2 win vs. NY Giants
Michael Davis - Commanders CB
Many fans were perplexed as to why Michael Davis didn't get a single defensive snap in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Things are more clear on that front now.
The veteran cornerback wasn't great against the New York Giants. Davis quickly became a weak link in coverage and couldn't wrap up tacklers effectively to further raise concerns. This was in keeping with how things went for the player last season on the Los Angeles Chargers, which is the most worrying aspect of all.
Dan Quinn said they are still assessing the defensive back dynamic with several failing to meet loftier expectations so far. Davis will probably get another shot considering Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is still recovering from thumb surgery. If he continues to struggle, it won't be much longer before he's demoted or removed from the equation entirely.
The Cincinnati Bengals' passing attack can be prolific when early confidence is built. If Tee Higgins is ready to go, the onus falls squarely on Davis and second-round rookie Mike Sainristil to deliver with Benjamin St-Juste tasked with keeping Ja'Marr Chase quiet.
Dyami Brown - Commanders WR
Dyami Brown was on the field for 69 percent of the Washington Commanders' offensive snaps in Week 2 against the New York Giants. This was second only to Pro Bowl pass-catcher Terry McLaurin in the wide receiver room. Unfortunately for the former third-round pick, it came with nothing more than two receptions from four targets for 17 receiving yards.
To make matters worse for Brown, the impact made by Noah Brown in much less playing time was far more encouraging. The recent arrival made each of his three targets count to the tune of 56 receiving yards. Jayden Daniels trusted him in the game's most critical moment, finding the wideout for a deep gain that played a leading role in Washington getting into field goal range.
The Commanders would be wise to get Noah Brown more involved with another week of familiarity within Kliff Kingsbury's system. What this means for Dyami Brown's prospects is anyone's guess, but he could see his snaps diminish unless there's a drastic shift.
Brown is being trusted more than the likes of Olamide Zaccheaus and rookie third-rounder Luke McCaffrey. But considering his skill set is similar to Noah Brown's, he'll be the one to make way.
Jeremy Chinn - Commanders S
It's not been a great start to Jeremy Chinn's second chance with the Washington Commanders. The athletically gifted safety came into the franchise looking to prove his worth after becoming an afterthought in 2023 - his last season on the Carolina Panthers. His initial impression over the offseason was encouraging. This hasn't been the case in a competitive setting.
Chinn's looked sluggish in pursuit, which isn't ideal for a box safety. The fact he's accumulated just four tackles over the first two games speaks volumes. The instincts and explosiveness that saw him take the league by storm as a rookie in 2020 aren't quite there right now.
This could be down to rust. Chinn missed a lot of football last season and is taking time to adjust to a different environment. It would be a shock if the former second-round pick out of Southern Illinois didn't improve, but it's a situation worth monitoring considering how high the coaching staff is on others in the safety room.
Chinn is looking for a bigger payday in Washington or elsewhere next spring. He's got the talent to be more impactful. However, the Commanders won't hesitate to give others a chance if the same complications emerge throughout the campaign.
Clelin Ferrell - Commanders DE
Much like Week 1, defensive end Clelin Ferrell gained a sack but was largely underwhelming aside from that against the New York Giants. The Washington Commanders picked up a victory, but their defensive performance left a lot to be desired once again.
Dan Quinn stated that Jamin Davis being a healthy scratch was down to the need for another defensive tackle with second-round rookie Johnny Newton ready to return. There's obvious belief in Ferrell from those making the decisions. At the same time, this trend cannot go on for much longer.
Ferrell's inability to set the edge effectively against the run is glaring. He fails to gain leverage consistently and doesn't have the reactionary moves needed to counteract when things don't go his way at the initial contact point. If the former first-round pick out of Clemson puts together a similar outing at the Cincinnati Bengals, his time as a starter will be short-lived.
The Commanders - Adam Peters, in particular - saw something in Ferrell after he spent time alongside the general manager last season with the San Francisco 49ers. Gaining a sack in consecutive contests is pleasing, but that's not enough to become a forceful edge presence.
Brandon Coleman - Commanders OT
Brandon Coleman got a rude awakening in Week 2 against the New York Giants. The rookie left tackle was always going to go through some growing pains as a rookie, especially considering how much football he missed throughout the summer. That proved to be the case versus the explosive edge-rushing duo of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.
Coleman fought valiantly to hold things steady on the blindside when given reps, but this game was a sign of how much hard work is ahead for the player. With Trey Hendrickson up next when Washington travels to the Cincinnati Bengals for Monday Night Football, it'll be interesting to see how much work the No. 67 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft gets.
This is all part of Coleman's learning experience. Taking him out of the firing line seems unlikely, even though it would be understandable. What's more likely is allocating him a similar number of reps, letting Lucas take the lead, and hoping things improve. He'll get better with every contest, but Hendrickson is one of the league's best when it comes to energetic pressure.
Nobody would blame the Commanders if they leaned into Lucas a little more on the road with the national spotlight glaring. This was always going to be a gradual process for Coleman. One indifferent showing against outstanding opposition doesn't change that.
