Dan Quinn
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Dan Quinn has big questions to answer going into Week 2
The Washington Commanders are facing an unexpected dilemma. A back injury to punter Tress Way has created a special-teams question that may force the team into roster gymnastics ahead of Thursday night’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Back injury sparks uncertainty
Way was listed as a did not practice (DNP) on Monday’s estimated walkthrough report. The injury occurred when New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter tipped a punt in Sunday’s win, sending Way to the ground hard on his back. CBS Sports reported that further testing will determine his availability for Thursday.
Commanders reporter Ben Standig also flagged Way’s absence, confirming his inclusion on the official injury list. For a player who has been one of Washington’s most dependable specialists, any time missed is significant.
The problem for Washington is that Way is the only punter on the roster. As Hogs Haven noted, the Commanders listed six new injuries on Monday, but none carry the roster implications of losing Way. Without him, the team will need to find an emergency replacement.
That could mean signing a free agent, elevating a specialist from the practice squad, or juggling active roster spots during a short week. Each option comes with ripple effects that will have Head Coach Dan Quinn searching for quick answers while the Commanders have other injury designations to account for on a short week.
Roster chess on a short week
Special-teams units depend heavily on timing and rhythm, and introducing a new punter days before kickoff is far from ideal. Rotowire reported that Washington will closely monitor Way’s condition, but the compressed timeline forces the front office to prepare contingency moves now.
It becomes a chess match: which practice-squad player gets bumped, which position can afford a short-term sacrifice, and how quickly can a new punter arrive in Washington and be game-ready? These are decisions the Commanders’ staff didn’t expect to be weighing in Week 2.
Special-teams unit already under scrutiny
Way’s injury adds to a group that entered the year with questions. Washington’s special teams endured a rough preseason, including a kickoff return for a touchdown on the first play of Preseason Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Even with veteran additions, mistakes on coverage units have been difficult to ignore.
There are also concerns at kicker. Matt Gay won the job after an offseason competition, but has faced scrutiny following inconsistencies in camp and during preseason games. Losing Way would pile another layer of uncertainty on a phase of the game that already felt unsettled.
Washington travels to Lambeau Field in just days. If Way logs even a limited practice, optimism will rise. If not, the team must make a move before Wednesday’s walkthrough. Either way, this is no longer just a minor injury note — it’s a roster management problem that could put significant pressure on a special-teams unit still searching for answers.
The Commanders entered the week with stability at punter, a position rarely questioned. Now, with Tress Way sidelined, they face a scramble to secure a starter. On a short week, that scramble could shape everything from roster construction to field position against Green Bay.