Commanders designate two key players to return off injured reserve

The Washington Commanders placed cornerback Trey Amos and running back Jeremy McNichols on injured reserve with a designation to return on Sunday as part of the team's initial 53-man roster cut.

Also, defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. was placed on the physically unable to perform list. He hasn't practiced at all in camp while recovering from a torn quadriceps during the 2025 campaign.

All three of those guys must miss at least the first four weeks/games.

NFL teams are allowed to designate two players to return off IR that don't count as part of the 53-man roster right at roster cuts.

Amos missed the entire offseason program recovering from a fractured fibula that ended his 2025 season. He dealt with soft-tissue soreness early in training camp, before he was finally cleared to return in mid-August. He suffered an ankle sprain in his second practice back and hasn't returned since. Starting the season on IR will allow him to rehab at a proper pace without taking up a roster spot while doing so.

It's a setback for the Commanders defense, considering he was expected to be their No. 1 cornerback. They'll make do with a combination of Amik Robertson, Mike Sainristil and Rasul Douglas, among others.

McNichols suffered a significant quadriceps injury early in camp and hasn't been back since. He's a versatile veteran who's a solid third-down back and quality pass protector, which is why they wanted him in Washington.

Each team can designate a maximum of eight players to return off injured reserve, though the rest of them must be on the initial 53-man roster of sign with Washington after it's formed.

With uncertainty about whether left tackle Laremy Tunsil (torn triceps) and defensive lineman Johnny Newton (torn pec) can return this season, those guys remain on the active roster for a short while. They'll be moved to IR soon, without the formal designation to return. If it's determined later — both guys had surgery in recent week — that they can't return, the Commanders won't have to burn a return designation.

Tunsil got hurt during a one-on-one rep with edge rusher Odafe Oweh on Aug. 8. It didn't look bad at first, but the severity of the injury came to light later that day. He has since had surgery and is on the path to recovery.

That sent the Commanders offensive line into a spiral, with Brandon Coleman moving to left tackle after previously battling Chris Paul to be the left guard. The front hasn't been the same since. Tunsil will only be of use if the Commanders can be competitive without him and position themselves for a playoff berth.

Newton suffered a torn pectoral muscle during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins and had surgery on Aug. 19 .