{"id":19896,"date":"2024-11-30T22:55:01","date_gmt":"2024-11-30T22:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=19896"},"modified":"2024-11-30T22:55:01","modified_gmt":"2024-11-30T22:55:01","slug":"commanders-cut-former-first-round-cb-emmanuel-forbes-place-rb-austin-ekeler-on-ir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=19896","title":{"rendered":"Commanders Cut Former First-Round CB Emmanuel Forbes, Place RB Austin Ekeler On IR"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Commanders opened up two roster spots today<\/a> with a pair of surprising transactions. Washington continued its purging of the previous regime\u2019s players by waiving former first-round draft pick Emmanuel Forbes<\/a><\/strong> in the middle of his second year. The other roster spot was opened by veteran running back Austin Ekeler<\/a><\/strong> being placed on injured reserve. \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2023, the Commanders took chance on Forbes, drafting him out of Mississippi State<\/a> over Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez<\/a><\/strong> despite a near-league-consensus that Gonzalez was the better prospect and despite major concerns over Forbes\u2019 size. Since 2000, Forbes is the only cornerback to be drafted after weighing in under 170 pounds at the NFL scouting combine. Still, his senior season for the Bulldogs saw him pick off six passes (returning three for touchdowns) and defend 10 other passes. He finished his collegiate career with 14 interceptions (six returned for touchdowns) and 21 passes defensed.<\/p>\n

His ability to play the ball continued in his rookie season, in which he collected his first interception and 10 passes defensed. Forbes sophomore season has seen him struggle with injury throughout the year, missing six games over the first 12 of the season and has seen him fall behind multiple later-round prospects on the depth chart. As a result, Washington attempted to gauge trade interest<\/a> in their former first-rounder, but failing to find a suitor, they\u2019ve opted to waive him.<\/p>\n

Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post notes the continued trend of Commanders drafted by the team\u2019s former regime parting ways in some way or another. Since 2019, every first-round selection \u2014 Montez Sweat<\/a><\/strong>, Dwayne Haskins<\/a><\/strong>, Chase Young<\/a><\/strong>, Jamin Davis<\/a><\/strong>, Jahan Dotson<\/a><\/strong>, and Forbes \u2014 has either been cut or traded<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ekeler is yet another example this year of a player being sent to IR with a concussion designation. The 29-year-old did not practice at all this week because of the head injury and has apparently failed to make it through the league\u2019s concussion protocol and will require a multi-week recovery period. The veteran has not quite produced up to his numbers in Los Angeles, but he\u2019s the team\u2019s third-leading rusher (behind quarterback Jayden Daniels<\/a><\/strong> and Brian Robinson<\/a><\/strong>) and third on the team in receptions. He trails only wide receiver Terry McLaurin<\/a><\/strong> in total yards from scrimmage. Ekeler\u2019s total production in both phases of the offense won\u2019t be easily replaced, but players like Jeremy McNichols<\/a><\/strong> and Olamide Zaccheaus<\/a><\/strong> will likely try to fill those roles.<\/p>\n

The Commanders did not officially fill either of the vacated roster spots today, but they did announce two temporary standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow. Defensive tackle Carl Davis<\/a><\/strong> and kicker Zane Gonzalez<\/a><\/strong> will be called up for tomorrow\u2019s game. With Austin Seibert<\/a><\/strong> getting placed on IR<\/a> earlier this week, Gonzalez will serve as the team\u2019s kicker for the third time this year.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n