The Washington Commanders are gearing up for a Monday Night Football preseason showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. And for some on the roster, this might be the final chance they get to impress.
Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters were less than pleased by the execution and overall standards from their squad during Washington's preseason opener against the New England Patriots. It was a lackluster performance from start to finish, which brought some stern words and several personnel changes to further raise urgency.
Time is running out to stake a claim. The Commanders are getting closer to final cuts, and those in power probably have a good feel about how the roster is going to look by this point. Nobody will be giving up without a fight, but it's a long road back for those who are starting to regress at the wrong time.
Considering the Bengals are set to play their starters in the first quarter once again, Quinn could do the same. However, looking at the injuries to the offensive line, that might not include star quarterback Jayden Daniels when push comes to shove.
Regardless of whether Daniels suits up or not, these five Commanders players are on the verge of disaster if performance levels don't increase with the primetime spotlight glaring.
Commanders players on the verge of disaster in preseason Week 2
Tyre Phillips - Commanders OT
The Washington Commanders worked out George Fant and Cameron Fleming this week. Although neither veteran offensive tackle managed to secure a deal immediately, the franchise will reportedly stay in touch with both. That raises the stakes for those on the books aiming to stick around for the real action.
There weren't many who emerged from Washington's first warmup game with credit. Tyre Phillips was among those who struggled to find the consistency needed. If the same happens at Northwest Stadium in preseason Week 2, that might be enough for the Commanders to cut this experiment short.
Phillips was a new signing this offseason. His previous connection to offensive line coach Bobby Johnson from their time together with the New York Giants had fans hoping for a smooth transition. It hasn't gone quite according to plan, so this contest could be the last chance saloon for the veteran in pursuit of an extended stay.
Cincinnati's defensive front isn't exactly formidable, especially with All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson holding out for his new deal. If Phillips cannot perform well, the consequences will be severe.