Throughout a 27-18 loss to the Packers in Week 2, the Commanders misplaced one defensive participant for the season. Beginning defensive finish Deatrich Clever Jr. suffered a season-ending quad harm. He was positioned on the IR.
Moreover, cornerback Jonathan Jones was positioned on the IR, and this opened a roster spot for the Commanders. With that opening, Washington is reuniting with a former defensive star. NFL insiders introduced that veteran DE Preston Smith is signing with the Commanders for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Preston Smith has been signed by the Washington Commanders
Reunion: Veteran edge rusher Preston Smith is signing with the #Commanders, sources inform The Insiders.
A second-round choose in 2015, Smith spent 4 seasons in Washington earlier than touchdown an enormous free agent deal in Inexperienced Bay. Now he’s again and may add to his 70.5 profession sacks. pic.twitter.com/v3l7FrA5Vo
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 17, 2025
Within the second spherical of the 2015 NFL draft, Washington chosen Preston Smith out of Mississippi State. He performed the primary 4 seasons of his skilled profession for the franchise. In 4 years, Smith recorded 24.5 sacks for Washington. After the 2018 season, Smith left in free company for the Packers. Smith had a breakout season with the Packers in 2019, recording a career-high 12.5 sacks. Since then, Smith hasn’t reached double-digit sacks.
Preston Smith spent six seasons with Inexperienced Bay till they traded him in 2024 to the Steelers. He performed in 17 video games final season, 9 for the Packers and eight for the Steelers. For the season, Smith had 4.5 sacks. Of their Week 2 loss to the Packers, the Commanders misplaced DE Deatrich Clever Jr. for the season because of a torn quad. To spice up their defensive position, the Commanders have signed former second-round choose Preston Smith.
Now we have made the next roster strikes:– Signed DE Preston Smith– Positioned CB Jonathan Jones on the Reserve/Injured Record
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 17, 2025
The 32-year-old joins a veteran group of cross rushers that features Von Miller, Dorance Armstrong, Jacob Martin, and Jaylon Holmes. Washington additionally has a second-year professional, Javonte Jean-Baptiste. Deatrich Clever Jr. was not the one Commander to undergo a season-ending harm in Week 2. Operating again Austin Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles towards the Packers.
Forward of their Week 3 matchup at dwelling vs. the Raiders, QB Jayden Daniels is listed as questionable because of a knee sprain. If the Commanders need any likelihood of getting one other deep run within the playoffs, they want Daniels to remain wholesome. Might head coach Dan Quinn sit his franchise QB in Week 3 vs. a weaker opponent like Las Vegas? Marcus Mariota is the backup QB in Washington if Daniels isn’t accessible.