Commanders Ripples: Niang Lost for Year, Burgundy vs. Gold Scrimmage, Wideout Drama Continues

The Washington Commanders hit a rocky patch in camp this week as injuries and roster churn forced the team into rapid recalibration. The biggest blow: offensive tackle Lucas Niang suffered a torn ACL and will miss the 2025 season, a loss that instantly reshapes Washington’s offensive-line plans and depth chart.

Head coach Dan Quinn responded by turning up the intensity and competition — scheduling a Burgundy vs. Gold intrasquad scrimmage designed to simulate game conditions and accelerate evaluations of backups and young players. Quinn framed the scrimmage as both an audition for players and a chance to test assistants in different on-field roles, signaling the staff is thinking creatively to offset roster instability.

At the same time, the receiving corps remains a work in progress. With questions over depth and health, rookie and veteran wideouts alike are battling to establish chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels. Despite the uncertainty, Daniels has emphasized focus and execution, repeatedly saying he’s “locked in” on improving timing and reads rather than media noise.

The Commanders also made several roster moves following the preseason opener — cuts and signings intended to sharpen competition across positions, particularly at linebacker and cornerback. Local beat writers flagged the changes as part of a larger effort to stabilize special teams and defensive depth before the regular season grind.

For Washington fans, the next two weeks of camp will be critical. Can backups step up at tackle? Will the Burgundy vs. Gold scrimmage reveal a reliable swing tackle or a rising perimeter defender? If the Commanders navigate these puzzles successfully, they can still enter Week 1 with a balanced, battle-tested roster — but there’s no sugarcoating it: the margin for error just got smaller.