Commanders Lose Veteran Running Back to Second Major Injury in Days

WHO:

Newsweek - The Washington Commanders lost another defensive starter for the season before facing the Los Angeles Rams; the article excerpt does not name the player.

Heavy NFL - A veteran Washington Commanders running back suffered a season-ending injury; the excerpt does not name the player.

Heavy NFL - The Commanders placed starting defensive tackles Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw on injured reserve.

commanders.com - Head coach Dan Quinn said Shy Tuttle and Tim Settle would take on the defensive-interior roles after the losses of Payne and Kinlaw.

commanders.com - Tuttle and Settle have played 251 games combined, made 102 starts, and recorded 404 tackles.

commanders.com - Settle rejoined the Commanders, the team that drafted him in 2018. He previously played for the Houston Texans and recorded six sacks in two seasons there.

commanders.com - Tuttle recorded 186 tackles from 2022-24 and played at least 15 games in each of those four consecutive seasons.

WHAT:

commanders.com - Payne, Jeremy McNichols and Kinlaw were placed on injured reserve and were likely out for the season, according to Quinn.

commanders.com - Tuttle recorded six tackles, including two for loss, one sack and one quarterback hit against the Philadelphia Eagles. His two tackles for loss were a personal single-game high.

commanders.com - Tuttle had a 73.9 Pro Football Focus tackle grade, a career high, and recorded his first multi-sack season since 2022.

commanders.com - Settle had 15 sacks over the previous eight years, 10 quarterback hits in 2024, 41 total pressures according to Pro Football Reference, and a half-sack that season.

commanders.com - Washington beat Philadelphia 27-10. The Commanders ranked 12th in the league against the run and allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards per game, compared with 22nd at the same point the prior season.

commanders.com - The Rams averaged 125.5 rushing yards per game; Kyren Williams and Blake Corum had combined for 937 yards and nine rushing touchdowns.

WHERE:

commanders.com - The Commanders played Philadelphia at home and were scheduled to face the Rams in their next game.

WHY:

commanders.com - Payne and Kinlaw’s absences were significant because they were Washington’s two best defensive tackles and key contributors against the run.

commanders.com - Settle said he rejoined Washington to help “control the middle of the field”; the team sought his help strengthening its run defense.

HOW:

commanders.com - Quinn praised Tuttle’s “quickness” and ability to “play square” and “win[] with leverage.” Settle praised Tuttle’s hands, saying, “In this defense, when you play with really good hands, you can be successful.”

commanders.com - Settle said his role would include penetrating and collapsing the pocket: “Just keep the quarterback uncomfortable.” Tuttle said the challenge against the Rams was “executing for a full 60 minutes.”

Washington’s defensive losses deepened, with tackles Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw placed on injured reserve. Running back Jeremy McNichols also landed on injured reserve, leaving Washington without three key starters. Shy Tuttle and Tim Settle will fill the interior roles against the Rams.