The Commanders kicked off their training camp this week with a total gut punch, dropping defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Deatrich Wise straight onto the physically unable to perform list. This isn’t just a minor preseason tweak, folks; these are two key pieces of their defensive line, and now they’re starting camp on the sidelines. It’s a rough, rough way to begin, immediately raising questions about their defensive front before a single full-contact drill even happens.
Their Defensive Line Depth Is Already Under Fire
Man, you’ve gotta feel for these guys, but you also have to be real about the implications. Dorance Armstrong is still dealing with the fallout from a season-ending knee injury he picked up way back in Week 7 of the 2025 season. Think about that: he’s been rehabbing for months, and he’s *still* not cleared to go when camp starts. That’s a huge red flag right there. And Deatrich Wise? His 2025 season got cut short even earlier, going down with a quad injury in just Week 2. To have both of your primary defensive ends, guys you’re banking on to generate pressure and set the edge, starting camp on the PUP list? That’s a significant blow. It instantly puts a massive cloud over their plans to build that defensive front and get everyone on the same page.
More Names on the Sideline Before Things Even Get Hot
And if you thought it was just those two, nope! They also had to place cornerback Trey Amos on the PUP list. This guy fractured his fibula in Week 10 last year, so he’s another returning player still not ready for prime time. To round out the bad news, undrafted rookie cornerback Fred Davis II has been put on the non-football illness list. Look, every team in the league deals with injuries, but a group of four players hitting these lists *before* training camp even truly gets rolling is a straight-up headache for any coaching staff. All four of these guys still count against the precious 90-man roster limit, which means those spots are tied up.
What This Means for Commander’s Season Outlook
So what’s next for the Commanders and their fan base? The small bit of good news is that all four players can technically be activated at any point during camp. But for guys like Armstrong and Wise, especially coming off such severe, season-ending injuries, you have to wonder *when* they’ll actually be 100% ready to hit the field. This training camp was supposed to be about building momentum and getting everyone locked in for the season ahead. Instead, the Commanders are facing significant questions about their defensive line depth and overall health right out of the gate. Every single injury report is going to be under a microscope from here on out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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