Commanders News: Quinn Sees Bigger Role for Antonio Williams; Eagles Get Reinforcements | Burgundy Roundup

With Terry McLaurin out for the season, it looks like Antonio Williams could be getting more opportunities in Washington's offense. Dan Quinn said Monday that he doesn't expect Stefon Diggs' workload to change much, instead pointing to Williams as someone who could see more targets. "I would say the natural progression is probably Antonio some more." That doesn't necessarily mean Williams will take McLaurin's spot, with Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown also being considered for that role.

After leaving the door open for changes along the offensive line last week, Quinn had a little more to say about it Monday. According to the Commanders' head coach, the adjustments will be "more strategy than personnel," with an emphasis on getting better blocking downfield and finishing plays. That's a little different from the possibility of changing starters he discussed before the bye.

Quinn also explained how Steve Wilks ended up joining Washington's defensive coaching staff. Apparently, the idea wasn't something that came up overnight, as Quinn and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones had discussed bringing in additional help during training camp. Other candidates were considered before Wilks was hired, and he'll be working with the staff during the early part of the week on defensive game planning rather than taking over Jones' game-day responsibilities.

As for the bye week, Quinn called it "a much-needed reset in a lot of ways." Washington spent part of the break evaluating itself after a 1-4-1 start, with the head coach again emphasizing the need to put together four good quarters instead of the stretches of football we've seen through six games.

The Philadelphia Eagles got some help back Monday, activating three players from injured reserve ahead of their game against Dallas. Three-time Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson returned after missing five games, while tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Eli Stowers were also activated. Saquon Barkley was back in the lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury, although DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks remained out. Quarterback Jalen Hurts also remains on injured reserve, leaving Tanner McKee to start against Dallas. Washington gets Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football this week.

In the days after the Washington Commanders’ embarrassing overtime tie against the New York Giants, coach Dan Quinn reminded his players that more than 70 percent of their season remained. Mounting losses across the NFC East kept the Commanders in contention, despite a record and accompanying injury report that might suggest otherwise.

“I wanted them to know this is going to be one of those years, it’s going to take a long time,” Quinn said after the team’s Monday night loss to the San Francisco 49ers the following week. “A road like this is going to take a while.”

Yet Quinn and the Commanders know as well as anyone that things can quickly change in the NFL. A 12-5 team can quickly spiral into a playoff-less 5-12 team, a double-digit lead can quickly disappear in the fourth quarter, an overtime gaffe can quickly amplify calls for a coach’s firing …

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