Injury-prone Commanders star’s role slipping away after latest cruel blow
Not much went right for the Washington Commanders in Week 2. But the worst part of the defeat didn't happen on the field.
Running back Austin Ekeler and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. both suffered season-ending injuries. Star quarterback Jayden Daniels was diagnosed with a knee sprain, with his status for this weekend's clash against the Las Vegas Raiders now in doubt. Tight end John Bates is likely to miss the game due to a groin injury.
After lucking out with availability last season and experiencing very few concerns in Week 1, it's already next man up for the Commanders at multiple positions.
Commanders can no longer depend on Noah Brown's health
In all of that, there was another injury that flew under the radar last week around wide receiver Noah Brown. The nine-year veteran hurt his groin against the Green Bay Packers, which is the latest in a long line of recent setbacks.
After achieving Commanders' cult legend status with his game-winning Hail Mary touchdown catch against the Chicago Bears, Brown's 2024 season met a premature end when he suffered a kidney injury that required surgery against the Tennessee Titans. Over the offseason, he was carted off the field during mandatory minicamp with a knee complication and did not return until Week 1.
Before leaving the Week 2 matchup, Brown looked predictably rusty. Through two games, he's amassed only three catches for 36 receiving yards. He's had some bad drops, including one in the second quarter against the Packers on a third down that would have resulted in a significant gain through the air.
Brown's injury will provide an opportunity for a pair of youngsters, Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane, to audition for a bigger role. The former had a few impressive moments versus the Packers in the fourth quarter, catching a 19-yard pass and a two-point conversion.
If McCaffrey and/or Lane can step up in the absence of Brown, who is considered a long shot to play in Week 3, according to head coach Dan Quinn, it could put his role in jeopardy moving forward. The Commanders have had to rely on stopgap veterans at most key positions because of their lack of productive developing pieces, but that can always change.
Brown needs to get healthy and stay that way if he's going to contribute to the rest of the Commanders' 2025 season. After all, his talent counts for nothing if he isn't on the field to showcase it.
Right now, that seems like a tall task.
Steelers Rookie Jack Sawyer Sends Sam Darnold to the Turf, Claims Hit of the Week
Steel City Underground hand selects the ‘Steelers Hit of the Week’, a bigtime play that shook the opponents, following every game of the 2025 NFL regular season for fans to relive.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had their hands full with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season at Acrisure Stadium. While the run defense, and interior, was exposed, two linebackers had big hits – and they weren’t named T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, or Patrick Queen.
While both Jack Sawyer and Payton Wilson are deserving of the ‘Steelers Hit of the Week’ against the Seahawks – both earning sacks – we opted to give the honors to the rookie this week.
Sawyer helped boost the interior of the defense as Highsmith (left the game), Queen (injured ribs, played hurt), Isaiahh Loudermilk (left the game), Wilson (vomiting, but returned) became casualties of heat, a pounding Seahawks run game, and passes over the middle.
Late in the game, on 2nd & Goal at the Pittsburgh 10, Sawyer was able to get through the gap and put Sam Darnold onto the turf for a loss of nine yards. Sawyer beat Watt, who had no sacks in the game, to the Seattle quarterback.
It was Sawyer’s career-first sack in the NFL and gives fans an idea of what the former Ohio State Buckeye might provide from the inside linebacker position this season. Sawyer’s stats included the sack as well as 6 tackles (4 solo) and 2 tackles for a loss.
We don’t want to discount Wilson’s sack; it was also his career first. His hit came during the second quarter, when the game was still in contention, and helped the Steelers defense force a Seahawks punt. Wilson dropped Darnold for an eight-yard loss.
Wilson put together a pretty strong game. He logged the highest tackle total among all Steelers defenders with 10 (8 solo). He played sideline to sideline to help stop the run and cover crossing routes. He recorded one tackle for a loss. All of that while being overcome by the heat for a time.
The Steelers will need more big plays from both Sawyer and Wilson as they tweak their defense to account for injuries in preparation for the New England Patriots in Week 3.
