Deatrich Wise Jr.
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The Washington Commanders met with an ideal replacement for injured defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr.
Losing Austin Ekeler for the season is a blow for a revamped running back room for the Washington Commanders, but being without versatile defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. is just as significant, so it makes sense the team hosted a nine-year veteran who’s an ideal replacement.
Free agent Quinton Jefferson “visited the Commanders” on Tuesday, September 16, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Jefferson rates as a potential replacement for former New England Patriots D-end Wise because of his history playing multiple spots. Ex-Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns lineman Jefferson possesses the range and size to be an asset along a Washington front controlled too easily in Week 2.
Significantly, Jefferson isn’t the only notable front-seven playmaker the Commanders hosted, with one of the team’s former second-round picks also on the list.
Commanders Will Miss Deatrich Wise Jr.
The Commanders faced an anxious wait after Wise carted off during the 27-18 defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. Unfortunately, the wait ended with Wise being confirmed to have suffered a quad injury serious enough to end his season.
Wise will be missed because of his ability to play end and defensive tackle. The 6-foot-5, 280-pounder was particularly valuable as a big-bodied edge-setter against the run.
As The Team 980’s Ben Standig put it, “There is no obvious replacement from a size perspective if he’s out. Jean-Baptiste (6’4″, 260 lbs) played the last series on early downs. Von Miller on 3rd.”
Head coach Dan Quinn outlined a plan “to move around guys on the DL to compensate for Deatrich Wise’s size and strength in the run game,” according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.
Dan Quinn said they'll have to move around guys on the DL to compensate for Deatrich Wise's size and strength in the run game.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 15, 2025
That plan would be helped by Jefferson’s experience handling a roving brief at the point of attack.
Quinton Jefferson Fits Key Role
Jefferson has lined up at both defensive tackle spots, defensive end and outside linebacker during his career, per Pro Football Reference. His range fits what Quinn and Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. like to do up front.
Their plan usually involves moving parts and changing roles. A strategy that calls for huge tackles to play end and linemen to alternate between two- and three-point stances.
Jefferson, all 6-foot-4 and 291 pounds of him, is a natural fit for a scheme that mixes three, four and five-man fronts. He’s also not the only notable defensive lineman the Commanders are considering adding to the roster.
The team also met with Preston Smith, according to ESPN’s John Keim, citing the NFL transactions wire.
Full list of tryouts from today:G Nick BroekerG Tyler CooperG Lecitus SmithDE Preston Smith
Also, DE Quinton Jefferson visited the facility.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 16, 2025
Smith, who spent his first four seasons in the pros in Washington, is a beefy edge who would add some extra juice to the pass rush, but whose greater value would be in setting the edge against the run. It’s where the Commanders need the most help, particularly after they gave up 135 yards to the Packers at Lambeau Field.
The performance was worryingly reminiscent of the soft underbelly of last season’s defense, when the Commanders surrendered 4.8 yards per carry, tied for third-most in the league. Newcomers like Wise were supposed to reduce that number, so the Commanders would be smart to react to his injury in a hurry.