The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Washington Commanders camp is taking place in Ashburn, Virginia, and Commanders reporter John Keim has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Commanders camp. We will update this file often. Can Washington bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 season? Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Dive in to all the updates and be sure to check back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Aug. 13.
Camp updates for all 32 NFL teams
Latest news from Commanders camp
Saturday, Aug. 1
Washington Commanders tight end John Bates will miss "a couple of weeks" after suffering a strained hamstring in practice Thursday, coach Dan Quinn said Saturday.
Bates has been one of the NFL's best blocking tight ends and a player Washington values greatly. It does have some depth at the position with Chig Okonkwo, Ben Sinnott as well as Colson Yankoff.
Center Nick Allegretti will miss "the next week or so," according to Quinn, after straining a calf muscle on Wednesday, the first day of camp.
The good news for Washington: receiver Treylon Burks returned to practice after missing Thursday because of a foot issue.
Allegretti's situation also highlights Washington's center depth. He's started four games at center in his career -- a position he considers his most natural -- but 35 at guard. But backup Julian Good-Jones has played two snaps in his career and the third center is rookie sixth-round pick Matt Gulbin.
"It does give you a window into where people are at," Quinn said.
Quinn said because they don't view Allegretti's situation as long-term, the team is not in the market to add another veteran. However, after practice, the Commanders had two other linemen working on snaps and initial blocks at center: third-year lineman Brandon Coleman and first-year guard Tyler Cooper.
Washington's coaches have said in the past that Coleman, who has started at left tackle and left guard in his first two seasons, could play all five line spots. He is currently battling Chris Paul for the starting left guard position.
Brandon Coleman taking a couple snaps at C after practice. He's still competing with Chris Paul at LG but... the more you can do ... and with Allegretti out a week or so they might need another player at the position (or even down the road) so take a few snaps now. pic.twitter.com/pNGXVsnhfO
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 1, 2026
More observations from the day:
The Commanders ran a drill simulating a late-game field goal attempt -- after running a play. The field goal unit had to sprint on the field and get in position for the kick. In this drill, incumbent Jake Moody made all three field goals while Drew Stevens made two, missing from 46 yards. Earlier, during another drill, Moody made all six of his field goal attempts while Stevens missed one.
Sinnott had a mixed day with two drops -- one coming on a perfect pass from Jayden Daniels into a narrow window. But Sinnott also made multiple catches.
One area Daniels has excelled at: getting through his progression in time so if he dumps the ball to his checkdown, that player has room to run. It happened again today with running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Linebacker Sonny Styles showed his length and speed. He broke up one pass in zone, using his long arms to close on the ball. Another time he flashed to the area where the ball was thrown. Had there been live hitting, he would have hit the target as the ball arrived.
Thursday, July 30
Washington's tight ends have been far more active as a group than they had been the previous two seasons.
Newly-signed Chig Okonkwo can be used all over, with wide receiver Terry McLaurin saying he runs routes like a big receiver. That versatility was evident again Thursday, but it's also not just Okonkwo -- all the tight ends, including 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott, have run a wider variety of routes.
"It's not even close," Sinnott said. "So many different variations. Today we're lining up at number one [receiver on the outside], we're running five-step ins, we're running corners, we're running options, we're running flat [routes]. We're just doing everything. It's so much fun. It's a breath of fresh air for this offense and how it uses tight ends."
More observations:
Cornerback Rasul Douglas ended practice by intercepting quarterback Marcus Mariota in the end zone. Douglas was signed after mini-camp in part because of his ability to create turnovers.
Julian Good-Jones worked at center in place of Nick Allegretti, who is out with a strained calf muscle. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he didn't think Allegretti would be out long. He said the same about receiver Treylon Burks, who did not practice because of a sore foot.
Linebacker Odafe Oweh's speed has been noticeable during the first two days of camp. He has created multiple sack situations.
Tight end Colson Yankoff made the catch of the day late in practice, jumping high in traffic for an Athan Kaliakmanis pass in the end zone. Yankoff slammed to the ground, but held onto the ball.
Wednesday, July 29
Washington coach Dan Quinn wanted to set an immediate tone for competition in training camp, so the first full-team drill was red zone work. Quinn also focused on 2-point plays, wanting to make it even more competitive. "Those are the moments I want," Quinn said.
Both sides of the ball could claim success -- and failure.
Starting quarterback Jayden Daniels tossed one perfect pass to the corner of the end zone that receiver Treylon Burks reached up and caught. He also grabbed another high one over the middle. But Daniels was nearly intercepted by corner Mike Sainristil on another pass where the coverage was tight all over.
"It gets the juices flowing, it gets guys ready," Daniels said.
The Commanders' offense ranked fourth in red zone success last season -- but was 20th in number of red zone plays. The defense could really use the work in this area, as it ranked sixth in number of red zone plays ... and 31st in red zone success.
More observations:
Corner Rasul Douglas, signed in June after mini-camp was over, said he adds one key element to the defense: "Turnovers. That's what I do." Douglas has intercepted 21 passes in his career. Washington forced 10 turnovers last season, only ahead of the Jets.
Receiver Terry McLaurin has continued working with young wideouts after practice, as he did in the spring. He was giving tips to rookie receiver Jaden Bradley and second-year receiver Jacoby Jones. Both are facing tough battles just to make the roster. But McLaurin spent time with them after practice, covering them and giving them tips on how to handle certain coverages.
Quinn said defensive end Dorance Armstrong, who tore his ACL in Week 6 last season, is "super close" to returning. Armstrong opened camp on the physically unable to perform list.
Nick Allegretti, the favorite to start at center, left practice early for an undisclosed reason. He's battling Julian Good-Jones for the starting job.
Terry McLaurin helping the young receivers after practice pic.twitter.com/HNRJgnRjZz
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 29, 2026
Tuesday, July 28
Washington remains interested in adding another receiver, but one who had been mentioned often once he's free -- 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk -- has been active with a series of social media posts that, multiple team sources said, could result in the team having no interest if or when he's released. Aiyuk has been vocal about wanting to join the Commanders, as he played with quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State.
Commanders general manager Adam Peters, answering a general question about the impact of a player's social media when deciding to add them, said they "look at everything."
"We look at that stuff but it's not the first thing we look at," Peters said. "We look at tape, we talk to teams and players on how they were in the locker room to make those decisions. It's not usually a huge part of it. Usually."
Washington could sign free agent receiver Stefon Diggs, who has drawn interest from multiple teams. He led the Patriots with 85 receptions for 1,013 yards last season.
More observations:
With Tress Way sidelined by a pectoral injury, the Commanders signed veteran punter Matt Haack. Way, signed in 2015, is Washington's longest-tenured player and signed a one-year deal this offseason.
Peters said cornerback Trey Amos, who fractured his fibula in November, had some "soft-tissue issues" in the offseason was placed on the physically unable to perform list as a precautionary measure. Peters said Amos should return soon.