Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore's offseason centered on health, removing ‘timid' steps

New York Times

3 days ago

ASHBURN, Va. — Noah Brown's inside-out move had Marshon Lattimore beat.
The Washington Commanders' tallest wide receiver created space near the left sideline during a 7-on-7 drill. Quarterback Marcus Mariota's pass arrived as desired, landing in Brown's raised hands. The football didn't remain there for long.
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Lattimore recovered quickly after Brown broke outside. As the ball arrived, Lattimore aggressively attacked. What looked like a successful pass turned into an incompletion.
Lattimore was often on the losing end of passing plays with the Commanders last season — when he was on the field, of course. Lattimore's lingering hamstring injury that stretched multiple seasons kept him sidelined for six of eight regular-season games following the trade deadline deal with the New Orleans Saints.
The four-time Pro Bowler returned for the postseason, only to struggle mightily in the wild-card round win against Tampa Bay and the NFC Championship Game loss at Philadelphia. Lattimore's physical status remained a mystery, even to the coaching staff, until arriving for this week's mandatory minicamp. His recovery on the pass to Brown provided a quality update.
Reviewing his performances with Washington was challenging for a player considered among the best at his position at various stages of his career. Lattimore could tell by how he was 'stepping' that he played 'timid.'
'Now, just being out there for these past two days, I feel way better,' Lattimore exclaimed.
Feeling like himself again ⚡️
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 11, 2025
There's a long time between now and training camp, let alone Washington's Sept. 7 season opener at home against the New York Giants. Regardless, this week has been welcomed for someone who has not played more than 10 games in a season since 2021.
On Wednesday, Lattimore, 29, acknowledged that he felt pressure following the trade that cost Washington third- and fourth-round picks in the 2025 draft. The Commanders had turned into a surprising NFC contender but were weak at cornerback beyond rookie Mike Sainristil, a natural slot corner who was forced to play outside.
'I wanted to prove they made the right decision,' Lattimore said. 'I wanted to go out there and show what I can do, but I was hurt.'
The 2017 first-round pick wasn't making an injury excuse — 'If I was out there, I was out there' — but the hamstring concern and missing the final two games before the playoffs exposed him in headliner matchups against star receivers Mike Evans and A.J. Brown.
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Lattimore surrendered 10 receptions for 172 yards and one touchdown over three playoff games, according to Pro Football Focus, and was flagged for multiple pass interference penalties.
He said getting needed rest following the NFC championship loss to the Eagles helped him feel 'like myself.' Lattimore focused on 'explosive' workouts for his hamstring this offseason rather than spending time on heavy lifting. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Lattimore faced no restrictions entering minicamp.
If healthy, Lattimore is Washington's top option in a revamped cornerback room with second-round pick Trey Amos, free-agent signee Jonathan Jones, and holdovers Sainristil and Noah Igbinoghene. He sometimes traveled with the opposing team's No. 1 receiver, but the laboring led to leaving Lattimore on the right side, which is how New Orleans deployed him before the trade.
The Commanders' staff has ample time to sift through their cornerback options. As long as a healthy and viable Lattimore is among them, they will feel way better.
Quinn didn't hesitate when asked about the primary goals for minicamp at the start of the week.
'No. 1, always the health of the team,' Quinn said before diving into football-specific topics. The lack of tackling in the no-pads sessions eliminates overt physicality, but caution remains. Noah Brown's potential injury during Wednesday's practice was an unwanted reminder.
Brown went low to snag an intermediate pass from Mariota near the left sideline. Washington's projected starting Z-receiver landed awkwardly and remained on the field for a few additional seconds before slowly rising to his feet. Brown gingerly walked to the sideline with training staff members.
After a few minutes, the eight-year veteran moved into a cart that drove uphill to the team's main building. Brown, 29, yelled loudly upon arriving, but, like the injury, the impetus was unclear. Maybe frustration, perhaps more, but offering any guesses beyond the above details would be unfair speculation.
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Practice ended a few minutes later. Quinn is not slated to speak with the media again until after Thursday's session.
Injuries have plagued Brown throughout his career. Signed by the Commanders shortly before Week 1 of the 2024 season, he suffered a season-ending kidney injury in Washington's Week 13 win over Tennessee. His 35 receptions and 453 yards were on pace for new career highs.
Should Brown sit out Thursday's practice, the Commanders' receiver room will end minicamp thinner than expected. All-Pro Terry McLaurin skipped the mandatory work amid contract extension negotiations. Free-agent pickup Michael Gallup, another veteran with a lengthy list of injuries during his career, missed the first two days and a portion of OTAs with a hamstring injury.
The Commanders did complete a contract extension this week. Reaves reportedly agreed to a one-year deal that keeps the safety and special teams ace with Washington through 2026.
Reaves initially joined Washington in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. He played 25 games over the next four seasons, but his roster spot was never secure. He often spent most weeks on the practice squad until injuries elsewhere created roster openings.
That changed in 2022. Reaves played all 17 games that season, which concluded with a Pro Bowl selection as the NFC's special teams performer.
Reaves' infectious energy on and off the field remains. After seven seasons, only punter Tress Way and defensive tackle Daron Payne have longer tenures with Washington. Extension talks began brewing between the two sides in recent days.
'That honestly makes me smile,' Quinn said of the extension. 'This is a true Commander, one of our heavy hitters and an absolute all-around BMF, in every way. It's no surprise he was elected one of the captains when the postseason began.'
'I'm extremely grateful and happy to be here,' Reaves said. 'They emphasized that they wanted me and wanted to get this done. I told them the same. … I want to be here. This is my home.'
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Quinn knows that gauging any aspect of the ground game is nearly impossible at this offseason stage, due to the lack of hitting. However, aspects of Robinson's work have stood out.
'Yeah, he looks really healthy,' Quinn said of Washington's lead back. The coach cited a run on Tuesday where Robinson 'was able to cut, plant and (get) downhill as fast as you could see.'
Though the short-yardage threat led all Washington backs with 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, Robinson's numbers and the overall rushing attack, not including quarterback Jayden Daniels, faltered late in the season.
Robinson scored two touchdowns in the divisional-round win at Detroit, but he only averaged 3.6 yards on 36 attempts during the postseason. The 2022 third-round pick now enters the final year of his rookie contract.
The Commanders return complementary backs Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, and they drafted the shifty Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round. Though not a weapon in the passing game, Robinson remains Washington's best early-down option.
'You feel his urgency and intensity,' Quinn said. 'He's really had a good offseason.'