Two future Hall of Famers headline a list of Commanders defenders to watch in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles

Canton, Ohio, is already calling, and two longtime NFL icons are still playing. The Pro Football Hall of Fame resumes were already written for Bobby Wagner and Von Miller. They were also written before they joined forces on the Washington Commanders roster, but don’t tell the Philadelphia Eagles that. Many members of Vic Fangio’s young unit cut their teeth at the prep and NCAA level studying these two.

That isn’t to state the Birds are starstruck. No, the Eagles have young stars in the making. They’ll do their best to limit a banged-up Commanders offense, but make no mistake. They’ll also be paying attention to Washington’s defenders when they’re on the field.

Washington’s injury concerns have been a topic of discussion all week. The guys they’re bringing to the game are solid, though.

Bobby Wagner and Von Miller, legends

Don’t let the stats fool you. Washington has some talent on defense. Guys like Frankie Luvu, Javon Kinlaw, and Jordan Magee come to mind, but few names ring like Bobby Wagner and Von Miller in NFL circles. They boast a combined 158 tackles and ten sacks.

Wagner typically takes the first day of the week’s practice off, but this time around, he was also mentioned for a knee injury. That may be something to monitor as kickoff nears, and the Eagles and Commanders game gets going.

Quan Martin and Jeremy Reaves, safeties

Quan Martin and Jermey Reaves are as talented a pair of safeties as you’ll find at the professional level. The former has tallied 94 tackles, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble.

The latter has pitched in with 75 tackles, a sack, and four pass breakups. Watch Will Harris, too. He has missed time, but he’s no slouch by any stretch of the imagination.

Mike Sainristil, cornerback

Part of the duty of limiting A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith falls on Mike Sainristil’s shoulders. Jonathan Jones has a rib injury, but he’s trending towards playing. Meanwhile, Marshon Lattimore is among the 11 players on Washington’s injured reserve.

Daron Payne, defensive tackle

The middle of the Commanders’ defensive line has long been a strength. Thank Daron Payne in part for that. He has two sacks, five pass breakups, a force fumble, and a blocked kick on the season’s resume.

He is joined along the defensive line’s interior by Javon Kinlaw. He has added 30 tackles, including four for loss, and a forced fumble to the cause this season.