Commanders Face Special-Teams Crisis on Short Week
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.
Chiefs Urged to Turn to 22-TD Free Agent WR After Xavier Worthy Injury
The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of depth at the receiver position, but after Friday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chiefs are being urged to sign a veteran.
Early in the first quarter, the Chiefs took a potentially significant hit when Xavier Worthy collided with star tight end Travis Kelce and immediately exited the game with a shoulder injury.
Kansas City quickly ruled Worthy out for the remainder of the contest.
The Chiefs haven’t provided an update on Worthy’s status on Saturday. If he ends up missing significant time, the Chiefs may need to explore a potential replacement.
GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 09: Wide receiver Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs watches from the sidelines during the second quarter of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Chiefs Could Sign Veteran Kendrick Bourne
Evan Massey with Newsweek suggests the Chiefs should sign 30-year-old Kendrick Bourne, who was recently released by the New England Patriots.
Bourne spent the last four seasons with New England. He has had several visits since entering free agency but has not signed with a team yet.
Last season with the Patriots, Bourne struggled, dealing with an early injury and never finding a consistent role.
GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 15: Kendrick Bourne #84 of the New England Patriots makes a diving catch over the defense of Starling Thomas V #24 of the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
In 12 games with New England, Bourne caught 28 passes for 305 yards and one touchdown. In 2023, he appeared in eight games, recording 37 receptions for 406 yards and four scores.
Over his NFL career, Bourne has played in 111 games, totaling 292 receptions for 3,714 yards and 22 touchdowns. While the numbers aren’t eye-popping, he could still provide a valuable boost for Kansas City, Massey said.
“Playing alongside a quarterback like Mahomes is a big help for any wide receiver,” Massey wrote. “For Bourne, it could be exactly what he needs to have a breakout season and get his career back on track after a couple of disappointing seasons with the Patriots.”
The Chiefs Have A Lot of Receivers But Suspensions and Injuries
The Chiefs have eight receivers on the roster: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton, Nikko Remigio and Jason Brownlee.
Rice is suspended the first six games of the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Rice, 25, was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas in March 2024 and fled the scene of the six-car pileup. He later accepted a plea deal that includes five years of probation and 30 days in jail, according to the Kansas City Star.
Royals was ruled out of the Week 1 game with a knee injury, while Worthy injured his shoulder during the game.
Brown, who was coming off a foot-ankle injury, performed well in the opener. He had 10 catches for 99 yards and was targeted 16 times.
Smith-Schuster had five catches for 55 yards, while Kelce grabbed two receptions for 47 yards and touchdown. Lastly, Thornton had two catches for 41 yards.
Next week is a rematch of Super Bowl 59 as the Chiefs welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to Arrowhead.
