The initial Washington Commanders 53-man roster for the 2026 season has officially been set! After weeks of training camp battles and preseason evaluations, the front office trimmed the squad to the league-mandated 53 players by making 35 cuts on August 30.
While this roster will evolve through waivers, practice squad moves, and injury designations, here’s a full breakdown of who made the cut, along with key notes on injuries, suspensions, and position-group surprises.
Roster Notes
Dorance Armstrong (EDGE) is not on the list because he is officially suspended for Week 1. Washington will have to release one of these listed players to make room for Armstrong’s return in Week 2.
Cornerback Trey Amos and running back Jeremy McNichols have been placed on the reserve/ injured list with designations to return. Both Amos and McNichols will not be available for the first four games of the season.
The loss of Amos is tough enough, but Washington chose to only keep three cornerbacks in the initial 53-man list.
They have since re-signed Fabian Moreau to give them four corners.
They also re-signed DL Shy Tuttle.
53-Man Roster
Quarterbacks (3)
- Jayden Daniels
- Marcus Mariota
- Athan Kaliakmanis
Kaliakmanis beats out Sam Hartman for QB3 as the rookie impressed during camp and through the preseason. Mariota is expected to return to practice today – which is great news for this roster group.
Running Backs (3)
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Rachaad White
- Kaytron Allen
The only surprise for this group is that 2 of the 3 haven’t seen a drop of playing time in the preseason, and may have a little ring rust to start the season. This group grows to four in week 5. when McNicholls returns. Kaytron was a workhorse in the preseason and this group was never really in doubt.
Robert Henry Jr. Was likely a near miss but landed on the practice squad.
Wide Receivers (7)
- Terry McLaurin
- Stefon Diggs
- Antonio Williams
- Treylon Burks
- Luke McCaffrey
- Dyami Brown
- Jaylin Lane
There aren’t really any surprises in the group although it is mildly surprising that there are seven and not six receivers. In the end, McCaffrey earns what was likely the seventh spot by virtue of his special teams contributions. Shout to Treylon Burks for making this group and seemingly with relative ease.
This is an exceptionally strong group. Perhaps the team’s strongest unit. Diggs and McLaurin are surely one of the top duos in the league. McLaurin got a full offseason with the team with no distractions.
Tight Ends (4)
- Chig Okonkwo
- John Bates
- Ben Sinnott
- Colson Yankoff
No surprises here, and the only real mentionable is that Yankoff had a really strong camp and preseason. Expect Okonkwo to have a productive season.
Offensive Linemen (10)
- Laremy Tunsil (IR)
- Brandon Coleman
- Josh Conerly Jr.
- Nick Allegretti
- Sam Cosmi
- Chris Paul
- Andrew Wylie
- Matt Gulbin
- D.J. Humphries
- Tanoa Togiai
Without a doubt, the most scrutinized unit on the team and that won’t stop now that the roster has been completed. Allegretti returned to practice today which is a huge boost but how healthy/ready will he be by the weekend. In the end, late addition DJ Humphries earns a spot, and so does undrafted free agent Tanoa Togiai – well done young man.
If Allegretti holds up at center, this is still a solid unit given that it lost it’s best piece to injury. Coleman will be fine filling in at left tackle. But there’s no replacing Laremy Tunsil.
Defensive Linemen / Interior (6)
- Daron Payne
- Javon Kinlaw
- Johnny Newton (IR)
- Tim Settle
- Ricky Barber Jr.
- Shy Tuttle
Strong group. Literally and figuratively. Payne returned to practice today. Congrats to Ricky Barber who was an undrafted free agent in 2025. Tuttle was added today after not being named in the original 53.
Defensive Ends / EDGE (5)
- Odafe Oweh
- K’Lavon Chaisson
- Joshua Josephs
- Javontae Jean-Baptiste
- Charles Omenihu
Good group when Oweh and Chaisson return from injury. They’re still being held out but expected to be ready to go this week some time.
Linebackers (5)
- Frankie Luvu
- Sonny Styles
- Leo Chenal
- Jordan Magee
- Kain Medrano
All eyes will be on Sonny Styles because of his draft stature but he is just a rookie. Let him cook.
Cornerbacks (4)
- Rasul Douglas
- Mike Sainristil
- Amik Robertson
- Fabian Moreau
The most notable thing about this unit is it’s diminutive number. Just three cornerbacks with a fourth in Amos coming in Week 5. Staying healthy will be essential for this group.
Edit: Fabian Moreau added today to make it four. 08/31/26
Safeties (5)
- Nick Cross
- Quan Martin
- Jeremy Reaves
- Tyler Owens
- Percy Butler
Ultimately, a good preseason and some big plays by Tyler Owens probably led to the Commanders releasing Will Harris last week. Cross is a big addition and Martin is looking for a big bounce back season. This group is good enough.
Special Teams (3)
- K: Drew Stevens
- P: Tress Way
- LS: Tyler Ott
Good group. Rookie and undrafted free agent Drew Stevens wins the camp battle with incumbent Jake Moody and earns the kicker spot. Hopefully Stevens can be accurate early, gain confidence and have a good season. Tress is Tress. Solid.
There are 55 names here – because Tunsil and Newton on IR, don’t count against the 53.
Not Set Yet
As the team prepares for the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, expect further adjustments to the roster in the weeks ahead – Armstrong’s return in Week 2, and the reactivation of Amos and McNichols will reshape this initial group slightly too.
For now, this is the foundation the Commanders will build upon as they chase another sure-to-be competitive campaign in the NFC East.