ASHBURN, Va. — Marshon Lattimore is currently uncertain about when his hamstring injury will heal sufficiently for him to make his debut with the Washington Commanders. However, excitement among team officials is palpable regarding the potential impact he will have once he takes the field.
Lattimore missed practice on Wednesday, just a day after being traded to the Commanders from the New Orleans Saints ahead of the NFL trade deadline. His availability for the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers remains unknown. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn are confident that Lattimore, a proven shutdown cornerback, could bring new dimensions to a defense that has shown marked improvement during the season.
“He epitomizes what you desire in a cornerback,” Peters noted. “He possesses exceptional football intelligence, instinctive play, and physicality. These qualities are exactly what we seek. He’s simply a tremendous football talent overall.”
Since entering the league in 2017, the 28-year-old has maintained a remarkable record, not allowing a touchdown in coverage since 2021. He’s earned Pro Bowl honors four times in his first five seasons and has participated in 104 games, including playoffs.
Lattimore has emphasized that he brings a wealth of experience to the squad, although he is still learning how he fits into the secondary’s scheme. “I’m ready to find my role and absorb the playbook,” he commented. “This marks a fresh beginning for me, and I’m excited to discover what lies ahead.”
The cornerback indicated that the decision on when he could resume practicing hinges on the trainers, as the injury occurred during a recent game. Before finalizing the trade that involved sending third-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks to the Saints in exchange for Lattimore and a fifth-rounder, the Commanders ensured they conducted thorough assessments of his condition.
At present, Washington holds a 7-2 record, with two critical games scheduled against the Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles within a five-day timeframe, suggesting Lattimore won’t be rushed back into action. Once on the field, he may permit rookie Mike Sainristil to find a more advantageous position within the secondary.
Quinn teased about Lattimore’s potential role, stating, “I’m not going to reveal all my strategies right away.” Whether Lattimore will mark A.J. Brown or CeeDee Lamb in the coming weeks or fortify one side opposite Benjamin St-Juste, his addition is expected to enhance a defense that has moved up to 14th in the league rankings from a previous position of 29th.
Safety Jeremy Chinn remarked on Lattimore’s versatility, noting, “There’s an extensive range of roles he can handle. He can play man-to-man, zone coverage, and really adapt to our complete playbook.”
The decision to make a trade and part with valuable assets, even after the team acquired a top pick through dealing underperforming receiver Jahan Dotson to the Eagles in August, supports a franchise that is surpassing external expectations and making a notable playoff push.
“We have absolute trust in anything Adam and his team are undertaking,” stated rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is managing minor rib injuries while continuing to practice. “It reflects their commitment to the team’s best interests, and we support their decisions.”
Lattimore is joining former Ohio State colleagues Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown, and Jalyn Holmes on the roster, which consequently pushes Emmanuel Forbes—a first-round pick who has also faced struggles—further down the depth chart. The effects of Lattimore’s arrival on locker room dynamics remain uncertain.
“Our culture here is truly remarkable,” six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner commented. “The growth has surpassed expectations, but we maintain a fantastic atmosphere, and it will be evident whether someone can assimilate into this culture we have cultivated.”