Commanders Will Be Without Star CB vs. Steelers
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Friday that newly acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore will not play on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lattimore is still not quite there yet with his hamstring injury.
The New Orleans Saints traded Lattimore to Washington on Tuesday prior to the trade deadline. Lattimore, a former first-round pick out of Ohio State, was drafted in 2017 by the Saints. After earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, Lattimore made four Pro Bowls and earned a massive 5-year $97.6M contract before the 2021 season.
Lattimore’s production has significantly dropped in the last three years, however. He’s recorded only 14 passes defended and two interceptions in 24 games. He’s also been derailed by injuries.
They Commanders have been solid in pass defense this year, ranking fifth-best at 183.3 yards allowed per game. They’ve not been very stout on the ground, though, ranking fourth-worst in run defense at 143.0 yards allowed per game.
If the Steelers get the run game going that would also open up the play-action game. Russell Wilson ranks third in passing grade off of play-action this season, according to Pro Football Focus. The Commanders defense has struggled against play-action (26th in yards per play allowed).
The Steelers will have their toughest test yet on Sunday when they take on the red-hot 7-2 Washington Commanders and rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. New head coach Dan Quinn has certainly changed the culture in D.C.
“This is a 5-star matchup. We know that they’re a good team,” Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. said on NFL Network. “We’re going into their building and it’s gonna be a tough environment for any other football team. But I feel like the coaching that we’ve been through and the situations that Coach Tomlin put us in, this is going to just be another Sunday for us, and we just gotta show up and play football. But Jayden Daniels, he been putting great, great stuff on tape. He’s coming in hot. Him and his coordinator got a great understanding of how to make the offense run through him as a rookie. And I can’t say nothing but good things about how he’s been playing.”
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