The 2026 Commanders practice squad is beginning to take shape, with Washington re-signing several of its own recent cuts as the roster settles into final form. At least twelve players have been confirmed so far, with more expected today or tomorrow.
Confirmed Additions
Washington is bringing back defensive tackle Byron Cowart, center Julian Good-Jones, and running back Craig Reynolds, according to Ben Standig.
Cowart’s return is notable given his winding path to Washington in the first place. He signed with the Commanders just weeks ago, following stops with New England, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Houston, Miami, and Chicago since entering the league in 2019.
John Keim reported that QB Sam Hartman, LB DJ Johnson, DL Jeffrey M’ba, WR Jaden Bradley, LB Ale Kaho, RB Robert Henry Jr., and CB Fred Davis were all re-signed to Washington’s practice squad.
Hartman was in a position battle all of camp and ultimately lost the QB3 fight to Athan Kaliakmanis. However, he lands on the practice squad and will likely continue the battle.
Standig also reported that cornerback Antonio Hamilton had declined a spot on the practice squad.
One More Expected
Defensive end TJ Maguranyanga is widely expected to fill the practice squad’s 17th spot, using Washington’s international pathway exemption. He held the same role a season ago.
Still Filling Out
Practice squads officially began forming Monday after the waiver period closed at 1 p.m. ET, and teams typically continue adding and adjusting for days afterward. Washington can carry up to 17 players on its practice squad, and general manager Adam Peters is expected to keep working the phones as more players clear waivers around the league.
Waived
Washington now has a pool of 35 players it waived/released yesterday (Krys Barnes, Boogie Basham, Joshuah Bledsoe, Jaden Bradley, Daniel Brunskill, Lawrence Cager, Byron Cowart, Fred Davis II, Julian Good-Jones, Antonio Hamilton Sr., Sam Hartman, Robert Henry Jr., Trey Hill, Maurice Hurst II, Curtis Jacobs, Van Jefferson, D.J. Johnson, Quindell Johnson, Jacoby Jones, Ale Kaho, Qwuanrezz Knight Sr., Jeffrey M’Ba, T.J. Maguranyanga, Tre’ McKitty, Quentin Moore, Fabian Moreau, Nick Nash, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Craig Reynolds, Darius Rush, Max Scharping, Trent Scott, Shy Tuttle, Car’lin Vigers).
None of Washington’s 35 released players were claimed off of the waiver wire by other teams.
Rules And Regulations
Practice squad signings began today obviously, and each team is allowed to sign up to 16 players to their squad; six can be veterans with unlimited NFL experience. The other 10 players must have two accrued NFL seasons or less.
Practice squads can carry 17 instead of 16 if they add an international player.
Any player with more than four years of experience will officially become a free agent after getting cut, and won’t hit the waiver wire. They are eligible to sign with any team.
Waiver Wire
The waiver order is the same as the 2026 NFL Draft order:
1. Raiders
2. Jets
3. Cardinals
4. Titans
5. Giants
6. Browns
7. Commanders
8. Saints
9. Chiefs
10. Bengals
If a team claims a player, they have to also release someone to make room (presuming they currently have 53 men on their roster).
If a team wants to claim a player who was part of initial cuts, they had to turn in their claim by 1 pm ET today. If two teams claim the same player, the player goes to the team that has a higher priority in the waiver order listed above.
If a player clears waivers — and doesn’t get claimed by anyone — he can re-sign with the team that just released him.
View The Full Commanders 53-Man Roster Positional Breakdown
Practice Squad Tracker
This list will be updated as names are announced:
- QB Sam Hartman
- DT Byron Cowart*
- RB Craig Reynolds*
- LB DJ Johnson*
- DL Jeffrey M’ba
- WR Jaden Bradley
- LB Ale Kaho
- CB Fred Davis
- C Julian Good-Jones
- RB Robert Henry Jr.
- OL Trent Scott*
- CB Darius Rush
* The asterisked names are players that have more than two years of NFL experience. Only six of the sixteen can be from this category.