Updated

Updated · Washington Commanders · Aug 3

Sonny Styles Sparks Washington's First Padded Practice as Antonio Williams Scores 2 TDs

Updated

Updated · Washington Commanders · Aug 3

Sonny Styles Sparks Washington's First Padded Practice as Antonio Williams Scores 2 TDs

Q: With John Bates sidelined and Kain Medrano back, which overlooked player is turning extra camp reps into a real roster push?

Colson Yankoff looks like the overlooked player turning extra reps into a legitimate roster push. With John Bates out for a couple of weeks because of a hamstring injury, Washington’s tight end rotation has opened up, and Yankoff has capitalized. In Monday’s padded practice, he caught multiple touchdowns in team and seven-on-seven work. That followed earlier camp reports that he had already been making plays daily, including a highlight catch in minicamp and a long catch-and-run that showcased his athleticism. The context matters. Bates’ absence was expected to create more work for Ben Sinnott, Chig Okonkwo, Yankoff and Lawrence Cager, but Yankoff has been one of the clearest beneficiaries on the field. He is not at the top of the pecking order, yet his receiving flashes are adding to the special-teams value that already kept him in the roster conversation. Kain Medrano’s return from the active/PUP list helps stabilize linebacker depth and special teams, but it does not change who is making the most visible move with these newly available reps. Medrano is just getting back on the field after a hamstring issue, while Yankoff is already converting opportunity into production. That makes Yankoff the best answer right now: a depth tight end and special-teams contributor whose expanded workload is becoming a real case for a 53-man roster spot, and possibly a larger offensive role than expected.

3 articles · Updated · Washington Commanders · Aug 3

First-day pads immediately highlighted Sonny Styles, who stuffed Jacory Croskey-Merritt at the line on the opening snap and followed with another no-gain stop.
Washington's offense still answered in red-zone work: Marcus Mariota hit Croskey-Merritt for a touchdown, Jayden Daniels found Terry McLaurin in tight coverage, and Daniels' chemistry with Chig Okonkwo kept showing.
2 touchdowns from rookie Antonio Williams added to his strong camp, while Rachaad White broke a long outside run and Colson Yankoff capitalized on extra tight-end snaps with multiple scoring catches.
Joshua Josephs flashed on the defensive front with a pass breakup and strong pass-rush reps, and Ale Kaho boosted his roster case with an interception and a late pass breakup in two-minute drills.
Dan Quinn also said Kain Medrano was activated from the PUP list, while Trey Amos and Tress Way are due for Thursday evaluations and the kicking battle stayed even with Jake Moody and Drew Stevens perfect again.