The Washington Commanders are officially reeling after taking yet another embarrassing prime-time defeat, and this one wasn't even close. After going into halftime tied with the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Dan Quinn's squad lost by three touchdowns.
Worse yet, the injuries continue to pile up.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the Commanders' blockbuster offseason trade addition, left with a hamstring issue. Terry McLaurin returned and grabbed a few highlight-reel receptions, only to re-aggravate his quad. Javon Kinlaw also injured his shoulder and did not return, though the defensive lineman revealed he wanted to go back in.
This game did at least have a few bright spots amid the dismay. One of them was a player who, through all of the chaos, has emerged as a pleasant surprise for the Commanders this season.
Jacob Martin is emerging as a genuine bright spot for struggling Commanders
No one batted an eye when the Commanders signed veteran journeyman Jacob Martin in free agency. The eighth-year defensive end is on the seventh team of his career, and he has never recorded more than four sacks in a season. He accumulated half of that on Monday Night Football alone.
There was a time over the offseason when Martin seemed like a question mark to even make the Commanders' roster. The surprise preseason cut of Clelin Ferrell solidified his spot, and the season-ending injuries to fellow defensive ends Deatrich Wise Jr., Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and Dorance Armstrong Jr. have forced him into a bigger role. He's started six of Washington's eight contests in 2025.
Martin had recorded half a sack in three different games before Week 8, but had yet to take one all for himself. He finally broke through versus the Chiefs, leading an impressive pass-rushing effort that kept quarterback Patrick Mahomes out of sorts during the first half.
Even though the Commanders ultimately got blown out, Martin's emergence has been quite a surprise. He's now third on the team in sacks at 3.5, trailing only Armstrong (5.5) and Von Miller (4.0). He's well on pace to achieve career highs in sacks, tackles, and quarterback hits, and likely to earn himself a raise next spring from the $3 million he's making in 2025.
Martin came to the Commanders knowing it might be his last chance to prolong his NFL career, and he's doing precisely that. In a season full of injury-riddled disappointment across the roster, he's been nothing short of an absolute bargain.