Chase Young
FILE - Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) plays defense during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Houston. The Commanders have put the franchise tag on standout defensive tackle Daron Payne, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. The tag is worth just over $18.9 million for next season. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Commanders put franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 28, 2023 09:23 AM EST

AP NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year

By The Associated Press Feb. 09, 2023 09:30 PM EST
The National Football League’s Defensive Rookie of the Year named by the Associated Press and selected each year by a nationwide panel of media: 2022 —...

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) speaks with Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Curl's absence hurts Commanders, even with Young's return

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 26, 2022 12:58 PM EST

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera is seen leaving the field at the end of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Landover, Md. Washington won 13-19. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Commanders in playoff hunt, following typical Rivera script

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 08, 2022 12:21 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4), center, throws under pressure from New York Giants' defenders during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Tie against Giants shows Commanders' slim margin for error

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 05, 2022 12:51 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) catches a pass as New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Commanders go for 4th straight win against skidding Giants

By The Associated Press Dec. 01, 2022 02:59 PM EST

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) carries the ball for a first down against Atlanta Falcons linebacker DeAngelo Malone (51) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Commanders run game lets Heinicke be himself and win games

By Stephen Whyno Nov. 28, 2022 04:44 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) reacting after throwing a touchdown pass to tight end John Bates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Commanders outrun Falcons, intercept Mariota in 19-13 win

By Stephen Whyno Nov. 27, 2022 04:00 PM EST

Injured Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz flips a football as he watches practice before the start of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Wentz returns to Commanders practice, not as starting QB

By Stephen Whyno Nov. 23, 2022 06:43 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) is pressured by Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) as he looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Falcons, Commanders meet in matchup of mobile quarterbacks

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2022 05:59 PM EST

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) runs off the field following the team's win over the Houston Texans in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Defense has Commanders at 6-5 and back on playoff track

By Stephen Whyno Nov. 21, 2022 06:53 PM EST

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) runs past Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas (2) after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Heinicke wins starting job after Commanders top Texans 23-10

By Kristie Rieken Nov. 20, 2022 04:10 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Commanders guard against letdown at Texans after big win

By Kristie Rieken Nov. 17, 2022 06:14 PM EST

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) passes against the New York Giants during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Commanders look to build on big win against woeful Texans

The Associated Press Nov. 17, 2022 12:35 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Commanders at .500 thanks to play-calling, forced turnovers

By Stephen Whyno Nov. 15, 2022 04:44 PM EST

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes during the first half of an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Drafting Jalen Hurts was right call for undefeated Eagles

By Dan Gelston Nov. 13, 2022 01:56 PM EST

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) carries against Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King II (25) in the second half of an NFL football game in Houston, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. The Eagles won 29-17. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Eagles try to keep unbeaten streak alive against Commanders

By Dan Gelston Nov. 10, 2022 08:33 PM EST

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) reacts in the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. The Eagles won 29-17. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
NFC East rivals set for Monday night meeting in Philadelphia

By The Associated Press Nov. 10, 2022 10:27 AM EST

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) celebrates after his sack against Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Landover, Md. (Shaban Athuman/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
Commanders inconsistent but in playoff race at midway point

By Stephen Whyno Nov. 07, 2022 01:57 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) celebrates a touchdown in the final minute of the second half against the Indianapolis Colts of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Vikings, Commanders match up with winning streaks at stake

By The Associated Press Nov. 03, 2022 04:04 PM EDT