Commanders Sign Familiar Face to Replace Dorance Armstrong Jr.
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The Washington Commanders signed a familiar face to replace injured DE Dorance Armstrong Jr.
Losing Dorance Armstrong Jr. for the season is the latest blow to a hit a Washington Commanders defense bleeding among every position group, but the Burgundy and Gold have at least moved quickly to replace the versatile defensive end and team sack leader, by signing a familiar face.
The Commanders brought back Jalyn Holmes on Tuesday, October 21 after Armstrong was sent to injured reserve. Both moves were confirmed by the team on X.
Holmes suited up for the Commanders in 14 games, including the playoffs, last season. He offers similar flexibility to Armstrong as a lineman who can play on the edge and also slide inside to D-tackle.
What Holmes won’t do is provide the same juice as a pass-rusher as Armstrong, who’d logged 5.5 sacks before suffering what proved to be a season-ending knee injury against former team the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7.
Armstrong’s ability to create pressure will be missed, but Holmes might offer more as an edge-setter against the run. Meanwhile, being without Armstrong should mean extended work for a more decorated pass-rusher.
Commanders Play Safe With Jalyn Holmes Move
Sticking with who they know makes some sense for the Commanders. Holmes is familiar with the schemes of head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., as well as being able to work alongside defensive line coach Darryl Tapp.
Those things might not be endorsements given how much the Commanders are struggling on the defensive side of the ball. They surrendered 44 points to the Cowboys, who moved the ball freely both through the air and on the ground.
Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for three touchdowns and was sacked just once. Running back Javonte Williams gained 116 yards on 19 carries and also found the end zone.
Both phases worked for the Cowboys because the Commanders generated too little pressure up front. Holmes is unlikely to change that because he only recorded a mere two sacks and as many pressures for the Commanders last season, per Pro Football Reference.
What the 6-foot-5, 283-pounder might do is provide some more solidity against the run. The Commanders are missing big-bodied edge defenders along the front after both Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Deatrich Wise Jr. suffered season-ending injuries.
Perhaps Holmes helps offset those losses, but the Commanders will need more dramatic solutions for adequately replacing Armstrong.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. Injury an Opportunity for 8-Time Pro Bowler
Some solid performances from 36-year-old Von Miller have been lost in all of the ineptitude embodied by Washington’s defense. The eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion has logged four sacks in seven games, including two in his last three outings.
Miller can still create havoc off the edge and make the big plays the Commanders are missing on this side of the ball. He was signed to be a situational pass-rusher, but the 2011 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year should see an uptick in his snap count while Armstrong is sidelined.
Turning Miller loose more often will make a sluggish pass rush better, while Holmes can add some much-needed beef on running downs. The combination can be a start of sorts to the Commanders fixing their widespread problems on defense.
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Cubs Linked to Cy Young World Series Standout as Free Agency Rumors Swirl
The 2025 MLB season is over for all but two of the league's 30 teams.
Therefore, while there's a lot of interest surrounding whether the Toronto Blue Jays can take down the Los Angeles Dodgers in this year's World Series, the fan bases of many teams are more interested in how their roster is going to improve this winter, hopefully so that they can be watching their team in the World Series this time next year.
The Chicago Cubs have many offseason decisions to make that will ultimately mold the franchise's chances of making a deep run in the 2026 postseason. Among these are whether to try and re-sign star outfielder Kyle Tucker (and how much they're willing to spend to bring him back) and which of their numerous free agent relievers they're going to pursue.
What's more, Chicago could be active in trying to bolster their starting rotation, as their current starting staff has several question marks. There are a couple of compelling free agent starting pitchers available in this year's free agency market. But the one that might be the best fit for the Cubs is still playing games
In an October 22 article, MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand listed the Cubs as one of three potential fits for Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber.
Bieber is a fascinating free agency target for Chicago. Just a few years ago, Bieber was one of the premier pitchers in the entire sport, which is proven by his being a two-time MLB All-Star, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner, and the recipient of a Triple Crown in 2020, which is when a pitcher leads the league in Wins, ERA, and Strikeouts.
The 31-year-old Bieber then suffered a torn UCL in his throwing elbow in April 2024, which kept him sidelined for over a year. The Cleveland Guardians traded him to the Blue Jays before the 2025 trade deadline (before Bieber made his return from injury). He made his 2025 season debut on August 22 and has been solid ever since, posting a 4-2 record and a 3.57 ERA in seven regular-season starts.
Bieber has been decent in three starts this postseason. However, a great World Series performance against the Dodgers would work wonders for his free agency stock and could convince the Cubs that he's worth a contract once he becomes available later this winter.
