Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 7

Jauan Jennings' lingering calf injury and long contractual stalemate with the 49ers could combine to send him to the injured reserve list this week, multiple NFL sources indicated over the past few days.

That wouldn't quite be the nuclear option for the 49ers, who, to this point, have not signaled that they're ready to trade or cut Jennings in the same way they offloaded Deebo Samuel and several others last spring.

The story indicated talk of IR could also be a threat for Jennings to get back to practice. The story added there is growing frustration on both sides as Jennings continues to miss practice and management continues to show little interest in restructuring his contract and giving him a big pay raise for the second time in a little over a year. A move to IR for Jennings means he misses four games and would hurt Jennings financially by severely reducing his chances at triggering incentives and game bonuses and also would leave the 49ers dangerously thin at wide receiver at the start of the season, the story went on to say. Needless to say, this seems like a tense situation with a very unclear ending right now.

Trade: Commanders are trading RB Brian Robinson to the 49ers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

Related Players: Austin Ekeler, Jacory Crosky-Merritt, Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo

This is awful news for Guerendo drafters, but with all the injuries to the 49ers' running back room, they needed a dependable body in the room. This dings McCaffrey a little bit, but his passing-game involvement should be enough to secure another top-10 (or higher finish), while Robinson will pick up most of the slack and deliver as a FLEX play in tough weeks.

Back in Washington, Crosky-Merritt should be boosted out of low-end RB4 territory into an RB3 while Ekeler has some sneaky upside to finish in the same range.

From The Insiders on NFL Network: The Commanders will likely move on from RB Brian Robinson Jr., a rare starting RB available.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

This isn't really a surprise, but there was some talk that made it seem like the door may still be open for Robinson to stay when the news first broke. But that no longer appears to be the case. It seems, according to Rapoport, the team just doesn't want to extend Robinson, and nothing necessarily happened between the two sides. Rapoport said the Commanders could eat some salary to get a better draft pick in return. The Commanders will likely turn the RB duties over to Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt, McNichols and Rodriguez.

Veteran Austin Ekeler remains a key piece of the offense and special teams as Washington’s lead kick returner.

Related players: Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Brian Robinson

The Commanders RB room has been a hot topic this week and it's only Tuesday. Robinson was held out of Monday night's preseason game amid trade rumors. The story discussed how an AFC GM said the team made Robinson available last year already. Rodriguez had a big run in the Monday night game and rookie sensation Croskey-Merritt had a long TD run as well. The story called McNichols the team's best blocking back. The story didn't mention how much of a role Ekeler would have in the offense, but needless to say it's a crowded RB room right now, with all four of those backs expected to make the team. If the Commanders do trade Robinson, this situation will need to sort itself out. But right now, Rodriguez and JCM are popular pickups in leagues that already had their drafts.

Jeremy McNichols re-signed in the offseason on a one-year deal, giving offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury another versatile option who is also the team’s best blocking back. (His blitz pickups last season warranted more headlines.)

Amid speculation about his future with the Commanders, RB Brian Robinson Jr. will not play tonight against the Bengals, sources say.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

The post went on to say it’s a mutual decision between Robinson and the team, as a trade before the cut to the 53-man roster remains a possibility. This situation seems to be escalating quickly. Those in dynasty leagues are likely no stranger to Crosky-Merritt, whose stock seems to be skyrocketing. If Robinson is dealt, Croskey-Merritt could find himself as the team's RB1 with Ekeler and McNichols perhaps the change of pace options. Rodriguez would also be an option to get early down work. However, Crosky-Meritt has been a sneaky-good prospect for a while now so he's a name to keep an eye on.

The Commanders officially activated WR Terry McLaurin from the physically unable to perform list Saturday.

On Friday, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said it was time for on-field work for McLaurin. That time has come. Still no word on a new contract for McLaurin, but he can now take the next step in his progression on the field as he recovers from his ankle injury. The main issue is obviously the contract talks, but McLaurin can now take part in more on-field activities with the season about three weeks away. McLaurin is a consensus top-20 wide receiver in fantasy drafts.

Hit hard by injuries up and down the roster in the first two weeks of training camp, the Niners released veteran kicker Greg Joseph on Monday. That clears the decks for incumbent Jake Moody to retain the job as he enters his third NFL season.

Moody made just 11 of 20 field goal attempts after returning from a high ankle sprain in Week 10 on his way to ranking 35th in the NFL in field goal percentage among kickers with at least 10 tries, the story said. The story added the Niners have too many injuries right now and couldn't afford the luxury of having a kicker battle.

With negotiations stalled and Terry McLaurin holding in with no progress, the Commanders WR has requested a trade, sources say.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Noah Brown, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane

Soon-to-be 30-year-old McLaurin won't find a better spot than he is right now, so any landing spot would be a downgrade if he gets moved. (Yes, even whatever team you're thinking of). Samuel and the roster-bubble options would get a boost, but the best outcome would be the Commanders paying their long-time vet.

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin has returned to the team while still awaiting a new contract. He was placed on the active/PUP list with an ankle injury.

McLaurin is still looking for a new contract as he is in the final year of his current deal, but perhaps him being at practice means a sign of progress, or will at least speed up the process. Head coach Dan Quinn said Sunday McLaurin will work with trainers on the side with his ankle injury. By being at camp, McLaurin is no longer subject to the daily $50,000 fines. He totaled $200,000 in fines. McLaurin can be removed from the active/PUP list at any time.

Titans WR Treylon Burks suffered a broken collarbone during practice Saturday.

Burks suffered the injury going for a diving catch. Yet another unfortunate stroke of injury luck for the former first-round pick, who has also dealt with a torn ACL. Burks is now likely to miss at least the beginning of the season. Among those behind Calvin Ridley at wide receiver are Van Jefferson, Tyler Lockett and rookies Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor and Xavier Restrepo.