Practice notes | Ben Sinnott ready to ‘do what I know I can do’

“I’m excited to…do what I know I can do,” Sinnott said.

Sinnott was the second tight end taken off the board when the Commanders selected him with the 53rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was praised for his route running coming out of Kansas State, where he recorded 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns on 82 receptions over three seasons, as well as his potential as a blocker. He’s done more of the latter during his NFL career, with more than a third of his snaps coming on special teams. Over the last two seasons, he has had nine catches on nine targets for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

The Commanders, who already had their primary starting and backup tight ends in Ertz and John Bates when they drafted Sinnott, have tried to give him time to develop as the third player on the depth chart. So far, Sinnott has felt the effects of that approach. He said the game is slowing down for him, and he’s gaining confidence in his role within Washington’s scheme.

Quinn has noticed the work he’s put in to improve, too. He’s seen the extra work he’s done with Ertz on the sideline during practice, and Quinn said it’s made a noticeable difference in his development. “We feel his speed,” Quinn added, “we feel his energy to go do that.”

Sinnott has shown flashes of what he can do as a pass catcher over the last two years. He made a 22-yard grab — the longest of his career so far — in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Two weeks later, he got the second touchdown catch of his career on a four-yard pass from Marcus Mariota against the Detroit Lions.

After the game, Quinn said it has been good to see the improvements Sinnott has made “come to life” in a game scenario. And after seeing him start to make more plays, Quinn has more confidence that he’sready for a larger role.

It’s been difficult for Sinnott to get on the field, though, mostly because of the overall talent in the position group. Ertz is one of the best tight ends in NFL history, and Bates, while not a pass-catcher, provides invaluable snaps as a blocker. Ertz said that there are few people on the planet who can block like Bates, and it’s been hard for the Commanders to justify leaving either player on the sideline.

That doesn’t mean Kingsbury or anyone else on the coaching staff is down on what Sinnott has to offer.

“He’s a dynamic player in space for that type of position,” Kingsbury said. “[He] Can create separation, all those things … He’s progressed just the way we want.”

NFC East roundup | Commanders begin final division stretch

It is the first time the Commanders will face quarterback Jaxson Dart under center; Week 1 in Washington, quarterback Russell Wilson, who has now been relegated to the No. 3 emergency quarterback position with Jameis Winston serving as the backup, was at the helm. The Commanders will be facing a well-rested Giants team, who are coming off a late Week 14 bye.

Both Washington and New York are among the league’s worst defenses, ranked No. 30 and No. 31, respectively. Offensively, the Giants have a slight offensive edge against the Commanders’ offense. The difference in this game could come down to turnovers, which Washington had three of against Minnesota, while New York had a fumble lost to the New England Patriots in its Week 13 Monday Night Football matchup.

7 players the Commanders could turn to for Zach Ertz replacement in 2026

Commanders could draft Kenyon Sadiq

There is a cheaper way to fill the void left by Zach Ertz. The Commanders could identify a talented prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, but that would carry more risk. Much will depend on how those in power view Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff. However, nothing should be off the table at this early juncture.

Arguably, the best tight end prospect coming out this year is Kenyon Sadiq. The Oregon sensation has flourished with the Ducks this season. He’s explosive and dynamic, and he makes the complex look routine. He’ll be a hot commodity after the pre-draft testing process, so expect to hear his name in the first round at some stage.

It’s improbable that the Commanders will spend what could be a top-five pick on Sadiq. But if Peters can negotiate a trade down for more assets, that could give him the luxury to take this sort of swing.

Commanders could sign Kyle Pitts

Even though Kyle Pitts hasn’t quite reached the generational talent hype coming out of Florida, there will be a queue of suitors if the Atlanta Falcons let him test the market next spring. And don’t be surprised if the Commanders are among the first to make him an offer.

Pitts is athletic, experienced, and can completely take over games when in the mood. Finding the right consistency can be challenging at times. Still, linking up with quarterback Jayden Daniels would be a tempting proposition for someone with a lot of good football left.

This isn’t the type of veteran Adam Peters has looked to in the past. Pitts is firmly in his prime, representing a long-term part of the plans. After how things have unfolded for Washington this season, pulling off a signing like this would represent a significant statement of intent about the future.

It’s hard to gauge what Pitts’ future holds in Atlanta. But make no mistake, the Commanders should be monitoring developments closely.

Washington Post (paywall)

Commanders mailbag: How do they fix this mess ahead of next season?

Why does the OC not have Jayden Daniels be under center more often? — Timothy Hannan

Tom: No team in the NFL has operated out of pistol or shotgun more frequently than the Commanders in 2025. They’re under center less than 10 percent of the time, according to TruMedia. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was asked about this last month and said that while there are several layers to this, he defaults to pistol and shotgun primarily because that’s what Daniels ran in college. “We want to tailor offense to what he is used to, comfortable with and does the best,” Kingsbury said. When the Commanders’ offense struggles, I know it’s tempting to view more under-center snaps as a solution. But the fact is the team also led the league in shotgun snaps last season and had a ton of success. The truth is the unit just has to execute better.

I know the Commanders have had A LOT of injuries this year, but to me the most glaring shortcomings are both the offensive and defensive lines. How are the Commanders going to address this problem? — Barry Tiller

Tom: I don’t think the offensive line is going to change a ton, with the possible exception of left guard, where Chris Paul will be a free agent and perhaps looking for a raise. The defensive line, though, could get an overhaul. Payne is scheduled to make $28.1 million next season and could be a trade chip. And the only defensive linemen signed beyond 2026 are Javon Kinlaw, Jer’Zhan Newton and Javontae Jean-Baptiste. Quinn cut his teeth as a defensive line coach and knows the lack of pressure up front has had massive ripple effects on the rest of the defense. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Commanders spend a bit on a quality free agent here, use a high-draft pick to get someone up front — or perhaps both.

With such a rotten season and steps back for the offense, is Kliff Kingsbury’s opportunity to be a head coach now off the board? — Vernon Campbell

Tom: This question really gets at some of the stark truths about hiring in the NFL. Kingsbury is the same guy he was a year ago, so in theory, he should still be a hot head coaching candidate. But the reality is that Kingsbury is a retread head coach. And we’ve historically seen retreads only hired when their team is winning or their specific unit is excelling. While I wouldn’t be surprised if Kingsbury generated interest, I think guys such as Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady or Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak are more likely to get jobs. For better or worse (and often worse), many owners would rather take a flier on an unproven hotshot than someone who has done it before.

NFL Week 15 picks: Upset and score predictions, matchup breakdowns for every game

Why Dan picked the Giants: Don’t tell me there’s nothing on the line in this meeting between NFC East cellar-dwellers. The game has major draft order implications, with the Giants currently holding the No. 3 pick and the Commanders at No. 6. Washington will be well on its way to picking inside the top five for the second time in three years if it can’t pull the upset. It’s tough to know what to expect here.

Neither squad has won a game since early October, with both teams playing competitive ball some weeks and getting trounced in others. Jayden Daniels has been ruled out, but I’m not sure it matters much, considering Washington was scorched, 31-0, by the Vikings in Daniels’ start last week. Marcus Mariota has had his moments filling in for Daniels, but he’s also turned the ball over six times in his six starts.

Giants rookie Jaxson Dart has given the ball away just twice in his last six starts. Give me the team that’s playing at home and coming off a bye.

Commanders 2026 Draft Rumors: Mel Kiper’s Top 10 Commanders 1st Round Draft Targets Ft. Jordyn Tyson

LOSING STREAKS: Giants vs Commanders BATTLE to BREAK Skids – Who Will End Their Season Nightmare?

Jason Kelce gets brutally honest about the Eagles’ positivity bunny

A.J. Dillon decided that the locker room needed some good vibes by way of a gigantic inflatable Easter bunny. It seemed like something that could help the situation, but after their Monday night loss to the Chargers, the playful decoration was removed.

Former Eagles captain Jason Kelce spoke about the positivity bunny on the most recent episode of ‘New Heights,’ and gave his honest opinion about the silly addition to the locker room last week.

“If I’m being very brutally honest, I thought it was a surprise to see the rabbit, because, I’m like, it’s a sign of just too much joking around with something that I think is actually like, you should be really f***ing pissed off about the way you’re playing.

It’s okay to be positive, but this is something you do when everything’s rolling and you’re freaking performing well. You don’t do antics like this when you’ve shit the bed for the last couple weeks.“

Kelce’s opinion didn’t stray far from many fans, who saw the gimmick as nothing more than a distraction to the real problems the team’s been having.

Both Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts have been quoting Jeff Stoutland this week, emphasizing that execution fuels emotion, and if they want better vibes, they need to play better football.

Eagles Injury Report: Lane Johnson on track to miss Raiders game and his backup was limited

The Eagles listed three players under DID NOT PARTICIPATE: Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter, and Landon Dickerson.

A second straight DNP for Lane Johnson indicates the Eagles’ starting right tackle is on track to miss Sunday’s game. Additional reporting from Jeff McLane also suggests as much.

Carter is on track to miss his second straight start.

Dickerson was DNP on Thursday after being listed as limited on Wednesday. He had “rest” added to this injury description, however, so it seems like he should be able to suit up on Sunday. The Eagles also rested Dickerson in their second practice of the week leading up to Week 14. Brett Toth is the top backup at left guard.

The Eagles listed one player under LIMITED PARTICIPATION: Fred Johnson.

Fred Johnson is a new addition to the injury report with an ankle issue. It seems like he got banged up during Thursday’s practice. It’s certainly not a good development for the Eagles if neither Lane Johnson nor Fred Johnson can play right tackle on Sunday. The team would be down to their third-string option at that point … and it’s probably Matt Pryor, who struggled and got benched in favor of Fred Johnson earlier this season.

CeeDee Lamb gives optimistic update on concussion, status vs. Vikings

The moment was a terrifying one for all who watched helplessly as CeeDee Lamb’s helmet banged against the turf at Ford Field last week, the Dallas Cowboys’ All-Pro wide receiver blacking out for a moment as his fingers locked, similar to what was witnessed on multiple occasions by Tua Tagovailoa, and it was immediately known he suffered a concussion against the Detroit Lions.

He was immediately removed from the contest and ruled out with said concussion, but he’s made significant progress toward potentially clearing the league’s protocol to take the field in Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Lamb made it to the team’s charter flight to depart with his teammates, and with no assistance needed, bags or otherwise, then showing up to work out on Monday, and he’s since returned to full practice duties — effective Thursday — more great signs that he does have “only one or two” more benchmarks to clear, per head coach Brian Schottenheimer, before being released from the league’s concussion protocol.

NY Giants awarded wide receiver from Tampa Bay Buccaneers via waivers

Giants continue tweaking the bottom of their roster

The New York Giants on Thursday claimed wide receiver Ryan Miller off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Miller, is a 6-foot-2, 221-pound receiver who played college football at Furman. He has two receptions for 34 yards in 13 games this season. In 25 career games, he has 14 receptions, with three of those for touchdowns.

Miller has been a core special teams player for the Buccaneers, playing 60% of Tampa Bay’s special teams snaps this season.

No corresponding roster move was announced. The Giants, though, do have wide receiver/kick returner Gunner Olszewski in the concussion protocol after a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit Week 13 against the New England Patriots.

Falcons complete comeback as Bucs drop from first in NFC South

The Falcons came back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29-28 at Raymond James Stadium. The win was capped by Falcons kicker Zane Gonzalez, who hit a 43-yard field goal as time expired.

The Falcons were led by monster nights from quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.

Cousins finished 30-of-44 for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns, Robinson had 19 carries for 93 yards and another 82 receiving yards on eight catches, and Pitts had a night to remember, exploding for 11 catches for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns.

This loss was a big blow for the Buccaneers, who are battling the Carolina Panthers for the NFC South crown. Tampa falls half a game behind Carolina with three weeks to go.

Tampa Bay has won once in its past six games, while Atlanta won just its second game in its past nine.

Just a crushing loss for the stumbling Bucs. Leading by two scores early in the fourth quarter, the Bucs appeared to be putting the Falcons away and making them pay for their countless mistakes throughout the game. But Tampa Bay’s defense allowed the Falcons to drive twice for touchdowns, with Baker Mayfield’s interception an absolute killer with just over eight minutes left. Even though the Falcons missed two two-point tries, Atlanta stopped Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense with just under two minutes left and drove 45 yards to set up Zane Gonzalez’ game-winning kick. This loss (the Bucs’ sixth in seven games since the bye) helped push the Panthers into first place heading into Sunday’s matchup at the Saints, and it suddenly puts the Bucs in real danger of missing the postseason for the first time since the 2019 season. Not even Mike Evans’ impressive return to the field could spur the Buccaneers enough. The division will still come down to the Bucs’ two matchups with Carolina, but with the way they’re playing, you have to say the Panthers have the edge now.

Pitts made money with career-best game. One of the more intriguing 2026 free agents is helping his cause to get paid in the offseason, and Thursday was his best game yet. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts registered career highs in receptions (11), receiving yards (166) and touchdowns (three), lifting the Falcons to the stunning win. Pitts had two of his three scores in the first half, helping Atlanta take a 14-13 lead into the break, and his 7-yard TD catch — with his keister barely touching in the end zone before his elbow hit out — with 3:34 left cut the Bucs’ lead to two points. Atlanta faced a third-and-28 on the final drive, but Pitts’ 14-yard catch at least made the fourth down manageable, with David Sills (who dropped a would-be TD earlier) snagging a 21-yarder on fourth-and-14 to put the Falcons in business. But the story on the night was Pitts, who was shredding the Bucs even after they issued extra defensive attention his way. The 25-year-old hasn’t produced as expected — he had one TD coming into the game — but has been on a recent hot streak and could parlay that into a big March payday.

Atlanta committed 19 accepted penalties for a total of 125 yards on Thursday night. That’s the most accepted penalties in an NFL game in nine years.

The last time a team committed more penalties than that was October 30, 2016, when the Raiders committed 23 accepted penalties. That game was also against the Buccaneers, and the Buccaneers also managed to find a way to lose that one, 30-24 in overtime, despite all their opponents’ miscues.

On Thursday night the Bucs committed just four accepted penalties, for 25 yards. But they lost 29-28 despite the huge advantage in penalty margin.

Todd Bowles lets the expletives fly in post-game press conference

Asked what he tells the team in the locker room after a game like this, Bowles was blunt. And repeatedly profane.

“It’s inexcusable,” Bowles said. “We don’t make excuses. We — you gotta fucking care enough where the shit hurts. You gotta fucking care enough where the shit hurts. Gotta fucking mean something to you. It’s more than a job, it’s your fucking livelihood. How well do you know your job? How well can you do your job? You can’t sugar coat that shit. It was in-fucking-excusable. And there’s no fucking answer for it. There’s no excuse for it. That’s what you tell them in the locker room. Look in the fucking mirror.”

He’s right. The problem is that, the buck for the Bucs ultimately stops with him. Salary-cap consequences limit the number of players that can be dumped after a given season. There’s no cap charge for changing coaches.

But there’s still hope, for the Buccaneers and for Bowles. They can wake up, win out, secure the division, and get to the playoffs for the sixth straight year. Bowles’s ability to keep his current job may indeed be hinging on it.