Washington Commanders 2026 Training Camp: Everything You Need to Know (So Far)

Updated through August 5, 2026
Location: Ashburn, Virginia
Goal: Bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 season and build a playoff contender

What Is Training Camp Anyway?

Think of training camp like preseason boot camp for NFL teams. Players practice every day, compete for starting jobs, learn new plays, and coaches evaluate who makes the final 53-man roster. It’s where the season really begins — before the games count.

Daily Camp Diary: What Happened Each Day

Wednesday, August 5 — Daniels & Mariota Shine in Red Zone

Coach Speak: Daniels is directing receivers at the line ("move your split 6 inches!") and reminding the center of the snap count. That’s command of the offense.

Injury/Rest Notes:

• Sam Cosmi (RG) and Laremy Tunsil (LT) returned after rest days.
• K’Lavon Chaisson (LB) and Amik Robertson (CB) sat out — not planned rest, just recovery from two-hour padded practices.

Tuesday, August 4 — Daniels Looks Like Rookie of the Year Again

Jayden Daniels, who played only 4 full games in 2025 due to injuries, has been sharp all week.

Best Throws:

1. Deep out to Terry McLaurin — in rhythm, perfect placement.
2. Scramble right → throw back middle to Ben Sinnott — eyes upfield, no danger.
3. Post route to Jaylin Lane — tight window, Lane dropped it (jumped too early).
4. Laser down the seam to Luke McCaffrey — corner + safety closing, ball fit in a phone booth.

TE Chig Okonkwo: "You just be where you’re supposed to be, and he’ll find you with an accurate ball."

Other Notes:

• Dyami Brown (WR) — two tough catches, including a contested grab and a slant.
• Fabian Moreau (CB) — re-signed Monday, practiced Tuesday. Former 3rd-round pick (2017), back for a 2nd stint.

Monday, August 3 — Pads On, Styles Pops

First day in full pads. First play from scrimmage: Sonny Styles (1st-round LB) stuffs Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the hole. No live tackling, but the thud was heard.

Styles’ Resume So Far:

• Length + speed stand out
• Solid in zone coverage (PBU on Jaylin Lane)
• Won a blitz rep vs. Jeremy McNichols (RB) with speed + power
• Working alongside Frankie Luvu (LB)

Injury Updates:

• John Bates (TE) — strained hamstring, out "a couple weeks". He’s an elite blocker.
• Nick Allegretti (C) — strained calf, out "a week or so".
• Treylon Burks (WR) — returned from foot issue.
• Trey Amos (CB, broken fibula) & Tress Way (P, biceps) — re-evaluated Thursday, optimism rising.

Center Depth Chart (Now):

1. Nick Allegretti (injured)
2. Julian Good-Jones (2 career snaps)
3. Matt Gulbin (rookie, 6th round)
4. Brandon Coleman (OL) & Tyler Cooper (G) — taking emergency snaps at center after practice!

Coach Dan Quinn: "It gives you a window into where people are at."

Saturday, August 1 — Kicker Drill & Trick Plays

Late-Game FG Drill: Unit sprints onto field after a play.

• Jake Moody: 3/3
• Drew Stevens: 2/3 (missed 46 yd)

Earlier FG Session:

• Moody: 6/6
• Stevens: 5/6

Trick Play Alert: OC David Blough calls a new trick play every practice. One worked for a TD Wednesday. Don’t be surprised if these show up in real games.

Other Notes:

• Ben Sinnott (TE) — mixed day: 2 drops (one on a perfect Daniels dime), but also multiple catches.
• Daniels’ Checkdown Mastery — gets through progressions fast, so RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt has room to run after the catch.
• Styles — another PBU in zone, long arms closing fast. "Would’ve laid the wood if it was live."

Thursday, July 30 — Tight End Party

Chig Okonkwo (new FA) lines up everywhere — outside, slot, inline. Terry McLaurin: "He runs routes like a big receiver."

Ben Sinnott (2024 2nd rounder): "Not even close [to last year]. So many variations — 5-step ins, corners, options, flats. It’s a breath of fresh air."

Turnover Party:

• Rasul Douglas (CB) — signed post-minicamp — picked off Marcus Mariota in the end zone to end practice. 21 career INTs. Washington forced only 10 turnovers in 2025 (2nd worst).

Injury Replacements:

• Julian Good-Jones at C for Allegretti
• Treylon Burks sat (sore foot) — not long-term

Pass Rush Flash:

• Odafe Oweh (LB) — speed obvious, multiple "sacks" in practice.

Catch of the Day: Colson Yankoff (TE) — high-jumped in traffic for a TD from Athan Kaliakmanis (QB3), slammed down, held on.

Wednesday, July 29 — Red Zone Obsession Day 1

Coach Quinn started camp with red zone drills + 2-point conversions. "Those are the moments I want."

Daniels in RZ:

• Perfect corner TD to Treylon Burks (high point catch)
• High middle TD to Burks
• Near INT — Mike Sainristil tight coverage

Other Notes:

• Rasul Douglas on his role: "Turnovers. That’s what I do."
• Terry McLaurin — stayed after practice coaching rookies Jaden Bradley & Jacoby Jones on route details vs. coverage. Leadership.
• Dorance Armstrong (DE) — tore ACL Week 6 2025, "super close" to return (on PUP).
• Nick Allegretti left early (undisclosed), battling Good-Jones for starting C.

Tuesday, July 28 — The Brandon Aiyuk / Stefon Diggs Situation

Brandon Aiyuk (49ers WR) — former ASU teammate of Daniels — has been vocal on social media wanting to join Washington.

GM Adam Peters: "We look at everything… tape, locker room reputation, social media. It’s not usually a huge part. Usually."

Translation: The social media campaign might actually hurt his chances.

Plan B: Stefon Diggs (FA) — led Patriots with 85 catches, 1,013 yds in 2025. Multiple teams interested.

Other Moves:

• Tress Way (P) — pec injury, longest-tenured Commander (since 2015).
• Signed Matt Haack (P) as fill-in.
• Trey Amos (CB) — fibula fracture Nov 2025, soft-tissue setbacks in offseason → PUP as precaution, should return soon.

Key Position Battles to Watch

Breakout Candidates (Fantasy & Real Life)

Injury Tracker (As of Aug 5)

What This All Means: The Big Picture

GOOD SIGNS

• Daniels looks fully healthy + in command
• Offensive creativity (trick plays, TE usage, motion)
• Defense flying around — Styles, Oweh, Douglas making plays
• Competition at kicker, center, WR, CB — iron sharpens iron
• Leadership: McLaurin coaching kids, Daniels directing traffic

WATCH LIST

• OL health (Cosmi, Tunsil, Allegretti, Coleman/Cooper at C)
• Kicker consistency (Moody struggling)
• WR depth behind McLaurin — someone must separate
• Aiyuk/Diggs decision — adds veteran juice or not?

CONCERNS

• Defense was 31st in RZ last year — early focus helps, but must translate
• Turner Bates loss hurts run game/blocking
• Center depth is scary thin if Allegretti lingers

Summary: 5 Things You Should Remember

1. Jayden Daniels is back — and he’s running the show like a 3rd-year vet, not a 2nd-year guy coming off injuries.
2. Sonny Styles is the real deal — rare rookie who impacts every phase (run, pass, blitz, cover).
3. The offense is fun now — trick plays, TEs everywhere, motion, creativity. Blough + Quinn = modern attack.
4. Kicker & Center are genuine battles — Stevens > Moody right now; Allegretti’s calf opens door for Coleman/Cooper/Gulbin.
5. Veteran WR addition still possible — but Aiyuk’s tweets may have backfired; Diggs is the quieter, safer target.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Q: When do the real games start?

A: Preseason Week 1 begins August 13. Regular season kicks off September 10–14.

Q: Why does Jayden Daniels only have 4 games in 2025?

A: He suffered multiple injuries (ribs, ankle, concussion) that ended his rookie season early. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 anyway.

Q: What’s a "UDFA"?

A: Undrafted Free Agent — a player not picked in the NFL Draft, signed afterward. Drew Stevens is one; he’s beating a drafted kicker (Moody, 3rd round 2022).

Q: Why is the center position such a mess?

A: Allegretti (starter) hurt. Backup Good-Jones has 2 career snaps. 3rd string is a rookie. Now guards Coleman & Cooper are practicing snaps — that’s emergency depth.

Q: Is Brandon Aiyuk definitely not coming?

A: Not "definitely," but his social media campaign annoyed the front office. GM Peters said they "look at everything" — and usually, that stuff doesn’t help. Diggs is more likely.

Want More?

• Full 32-team camp tracker: ESPN Training Camp Hub
• John Keim’s Radio Show: The John Keim Report on ESPN Richmond
• Follow John Keim: @john_keim for live practice tweets

Article based on ESPN reporting by John Keim (Aug 5, 2026). Updated daily through camp. Check back for new installments!