ASHBURN — Wide receiver Martavis Bryant has played for nine teams in five different professional leagues since leaving Clemson in 2014. After signing with Washington on Tuesday, the 32-year-old became one of dozens of Commanders on the roster bubble, fighting for a spot on the final depth chart.
Bryant and the rest have two weeks to prove their worth in front of coach Dan Quinn before the Commanders trim their 90-man roster to 53 players on Aug. 27.
“We’re always doing this,” Quinn said Tuesday after signing Bryant, who hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2018 with the Oakland Raiders. “I would say this is our normal of finding an edge, pushing it further. That’s kind of what we stand for. No message given other than this is how we get down.”
Bryant, a former fourth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, worked out individually but stood on the sidelines during the 11-on-11 portions of Tuesday’s practice. He still has to learn the playbook, he admitted.
“It’s exciting, but at the same time you still got more work to put in; you got to come here; you gotta work; you gotta look good,” the journeyman said, noting that he’s lost 22 pounds since playing with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad last season. “I’ve been working hard.”
Bryant joins an already crowded receiver room with the Commanders. Brycen Tremayne, Mitchell Tinsley and Jamison Crowder are all hoping to cement their spots on the roster as the regular season approaches.
“Whatever they need me to do,” Bryant said. “I’m just trying to get back and get better, learn every day, learn from my coaches and teammates. The sky’s the limit.”
These players on the bubble have to be more than just receivers. Established receivers like Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Dyami Brown take most of the snaps with the first team. To make an impression on the coaches, players like Tremayne have to stand out on special teams.
“I think [special teams] is one of the biggest things, especially for an undrafted guy like me,” Tremayne said. “Special teams are your way to a roster spot; it’s your way into the offense.”
The Stanford product is routinely the first player on the practice field and is typically the last player to leave. While many of his teammates hustled off the field to hit the showers and talk to reporters on Tuesday, Tremayne stayed behind. He focused on his footwork, rehearsing the first steps he takes off the line of scrimmage.
The 24-year-old’s work has paid off during training camp. He has made several highlight plays during his limited opportunities on offense, including a deep reception over the middle of the field during Tuesday’s team drills.
“I feel like I’m just more comfortable, given that this is my second year,” he said. “Obviously, all the work I put in in the offseason, back at home after [organized team activities] and learning from the older guys here I feel like that’s improved my game.”
On the defensive side of the ball, rookie safety Jeremy Owens is taking a similar path as he tries to lock down a roster spot. The undrafted free agent rehearsed his punt coverage responsibilities on Tuesday, meticulously working to down simulated punts near the goal line.
“I always knew I was going to play [special] teams my first year,” Owens said after practice. “I just embrace that role, and I go as hard as I can.”
Like many of Washington’s offseason additions, Owens said he was drawn to the Commanders by the clean slate. The Texas Tech product felt he could hit the ground running with Washington’s new coach, owner and general manager.
“I’m just going to keep working, keep trying to get better and just make this team better,” he said, stating that making the regular season roster would “mean the world.”
Owens, Tremayne and Bryant will have their next opportunity to impress the coaches at a joint practice against the Dolphins on Thursday. The team will then square off against Miami for their second preseason game on Saturday.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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