Marshon Lattimore's long-awaited debut this weekend is something everyone associated with the Washington Commanders has craved since his bombshell trade before the deadline. This also comes with a significant fear factor attached.
Lattimore is one of the league's best cornerbacks when healthy. He's a genuine shutdown presence who relishes the challenge of going up against the NFL's most prolific wideouts. He never backs down from a challenge and often comes out on top.
The competitive spirit within Lattimore ensured he wasn't ever going to miss this game. Washington travels to the New Orleans Saints — the team that traded the defensive back away. There will be extra motivation and emotion attached, but he'll be eager to make his old employers pay for making him surplus to requirements shortly after firing head coach Dennis Allen.
Having the luxury of bringing a Pro Bowl-caliber performer into the mix at this late stage of the campaign represents a significant boost for the Commanders. It'll ease the burden on other cornerbacks and allow defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to implement different strategies with someone capable of locking down one side of the field.
Marshon Lattimore brings fearless mentality to the Commanders defense
Lattimore's return is also striking fear into those around the league. One only has to look at Saints defensive end Cam Jordan's reaction to the news he'd probably feature to see that.
The Commanders have ramped things up with Lattimore this week. He's come through every test with flying colors up to now. It's all systems go at long last, which is only going to assist Washington's hopes of making the postseason amid a late challenge from the Los Angeles Rams.
Everyone in the Saints organization knows what Lattimore is capable of. They made him a first-round selection out of Ohio State in 2017. He won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned four Pro Bowl selections during his time with the franchise. The business aspect meant he was moved on, but that does not detract from the immense talent at his disposal.
It might take Lattimore time to find his football legs again. He's been missing since Week 8 and has just one week of full practice under his belt. Getting some early reps and taking things from there is the likely course of action. If everything checks out and the player is feeling good, that's when the confidence will increase.
Whether backup quarterback Jake Haener — who's filling on for the injured Derek Carr — is foolish enough to test Lattimore remains to be seen. If he does and the football isn't on point, the corner will take full advantage.
There won't be many pleasantries from Lattimore to his ex-teammates during the game. This is a business trip for the Commanders, who want to tighten their grip on a postseason spot and potentially rise into the sixth seed depending on how the Green Bay Packers fare at the Seattle Seahawks.
Get your popcorn ready. Because looking at Lattimore's track record, he'll be eager to make up for some lost time and won't back down an inch.
