Depth is one of the most crucial characteristics of a champion-level football team. Injuries occur throughout the entire season, and being able to withstand these setbacks is what sets teams apart. For the Washington Commanders, linebacker depth is already an issue, and the season hasn’t even started.
Rookie Linebacker has already retired.
Seeing a rookie retiring from the NFL is not commonly seen. Tre Walker has officially retired. Walker, a rookie from Idaho, has announced he is retiring from football. He was an undrafted free agent, and the most surprising part of this announcement was Walker was expected to make the final roster.
This marks the second retirement by a Commander in this training camp as Antonio Gandy- Golden retired earlier in training camp.
What does the Commanders linebacker depth look like?
Linebacker was already a position of weakness heading into training camp for the Commanders. Fans have made pleas for Washington to sign a veteran linebacker, but their efforts have not been heard. Washington insisted on staying young at linebacker with three rookie linebackers, but one tore his ACL, and now Walker is retired.
Washington is left with Cole Holcomb, 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis, David Mayo, and Khaleke Hudson. The remaining linebacker slots will still be seen.
Is Washington going to be able to survive the 2022 season with this current linebacking core? The loss of Landon Collins, due to freeing salary space for Carson Wentz, as a hybrid linebacker seems a bigger deal than ever. With the strength of the linebacker unit a bigger question than usual, will the Commander’s defense hold them back?
Washington lacks a playmaker at the linebacker position
Not only does Washington lack depth at the linebacker position, but they lack a true playmaker. Cole Holcomb is a solid option. Jamin Davis has had flashes. Other than that, the linebacker core is lacking. Furthermore, the combination of lack of depth and true playmaking should prove worrisome for the Washington faithful.
The Eagles had the best rushing attack in all of football last year. Daniel Jones has consistently beaten the Washington defense with his legs. Dak Prescott will be on the run more this season than usual. Having a strong linebacking core is necessary in the NFC East.
However, Ron Rivera seems not too worried. Linebacker will be an issue for the Commanders in the fall.