Another Blow for Commanders as Jean-Baptiste Likely Done for the Season
The Washington Commanders were dealing with some severe injury concerns heading into their Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons. If head coach Dan Quinn thought things couldn't get much worse, he was gravely mistaken.
This was an afternoon to forget. The eventual scoreline didn't reflect how one-sided the contest was, for the most part. It was always going to be difficult without so many key personnel, but one cannot view this performance and lack of execution without feeling pessimistic.
If their second defeat wasn't bad enough, the Commanders are also reportedly dealing with another possible long-term absence. And it's within a position group that isn't exactly blessed with great depth.
Commanders could lose Javontae Jean-Baptiste for the season as injury crisis deepens
Second-year edge rusher Javontae Jean-Baptiste went out at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and was ruled out almost immediately after. He will undergo further testing in the coming days, but Nicki Jhabvala from
If their fears are confirmed, Jean-Baptiste will be out for the remainder of the season. The 2024 seventh-round pick was
The Commanders have veteran Preston Smith to call upon in Jean-Baptiste's absence. He's been a healthy scratch over the last two games as he works his way back to genuine football shape. That process needs to be sped up if the Notre Dame product is to go on the shelf as expected.
This is another blow that Quinn must navigate. His roster has been decimated at the worst time. Every team deals with injuries, but the Commanders are having to cope with more than almost any other franchise right now.
It's affecting Washington's ability to generate early momentum. Jean-Baptiste might have only been a rotational player. Still, it's yet another contributor set for an extended period on the sidelines at a time when the Commanders have their fortunes this season hanging in the balance.
Jean-Baptiste will be hoping for good news, but it doesn't look good. Quinn must continue to roll with the punches and go with the next man up. That's the only way Washington is going to dig itself out of an ever-growing hole.
The injury bug has hit the Commanders hard, and it shows no signs of leaving.
Packers’ Late-Game Collapse Raises Super Bowl Questions: Is LaFleur to Blame?
Packers’ Bizarre Tie Raises Serious Questions About Their Super Bowl Hopes
Green Bay Packers’ performance in their 40-40 tie against the Dallas Cowboys left fans and experts alike scratching their heads. What should have been a chance to bounce back after a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns turned into another head-scratcher for the Packers.
The game ended with the Packers taking a conservative approach in overtime, choosing to run out the clock rather than aggressively drive for the win. With just one second left on the clock, Jordan Love’s final pass was incomplete, saving Green Bay from a second consecutive loss but leaving them with more questions than answers.
Many experts have raised concerns about head coach Matt LaFleur's decisions, particularly his reluctance to trust Love in a critical moment. LaFleur’s play-calling at the end of the game, focused on draining the clock, was met with widespread criticism. As NFL analyst Benjamin Solak put it, “Playing for the tie is poor. They should have gone for the win.”
Former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert did not hold back, saying, “Handcuffing your $55 million QB in overtime was a choice. Especially after he’s gotten you 37 points.” It was clear that many felt Love had proven himself capable of taking charge, but LaFleur’s conservative tactics hindered his chances.
On the defensive side, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit showed cracks. After being one of the league’s top-ranked defenses, they struggled against Dallas, allowing critical plays and failing to close out the game. Their inability to get the job done when it mattered most has raised doubts about whether the Packers have the defense to compete in the playoffs.
Despite Love’s strong individual performance, throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, the Packers’ inability to seal the win has caused widespread concern. With a tie on the record, it feels like a missed opportunity for Green Bay to assert themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. As they look ahead, LaFleur and his team will need to address these critical issues if they want to keep their championship hopes alive.
