Commanders lean on veterans to stop three-game losing streak against Titans

The Washington Commanders are tired of losing. Now on a three-game losing streak, members of the 7-5 squad said they’re leaning on their veterans to right the ship on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

The Commanders signed linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz this offseason to help lead a massively overhauled squad. The early returns were promising, as rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led a dynamic offense to a 7-2 start. But a three-game skid has dragged them back down to Earth.

“We’re tired of losing,” guard Sam Cosmi said after practice on Wednesday.

There’s a heightened sense of urgency around the Commanders’ Ashburn practice facility as they try to salvage their season. Sunday’s home game against the 3-8 Titans could greatly impact Washington’s chances to make the playoffs.

With a win, the Commanders would remain in the playoff picture in the NFC with a 71% chance to make the postseason. A loss could be catastrophic, dropping the Commanders to 7-6 and leaving the once-promising squad with a 42% chance of appearing in the playoffs.

But several players echoed coach Dan Quinn as they warned against “over trying.”

“There’s definitely a sense of urgency, but you don’t want to get to the position where you’re trying too hard,” Wagner said. “You just want to go out there and do what you need to do and we’ll be fine.”

A midseason losing streak isn’t a death sentence for a competitive team. The San Francisco 49ers dropped three games in a row last season before finishing the season on a high note, coming just short of defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

“The season isn’t over. 7-5, we’ve got the privilege of where we’re at with the whole season in front of us still,” Ertz said. “For me and Bobby, it’s just being able to have a different perspective. Having the knowledge that we have, we feel like that’s part of the reason we’re here.”

Throughout the losing streak, Wagner has emphasized the importance of Washington’s leaders “sharing their scars.” Wagner, Ertz and offensive lineman Nick Allegretti hoisted the Lombardi Trophy with their former teams and stressed that even successful teams face adversity.

“Sharing scars provides, I wouldn’t say hope, but just the idea of what can happen if you figure it out and fix the things you need to fix,” Wagner said. “We’ve got a great team. We just got to go out there and execute and prove that we don’t have to worry about what people are saying outside.”

During discussions with reporters this week, Washington’s players appeared frustrated but not downtrodden. Wagner stuck around after practice for 15 minutes, joking with Daniels and several other teammates. Leadership is a balancing act for Wagner, keeping spirits light while ensuring his teammates are focused on the goals ahead.

“When he speaks, everybody listens,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said. “One of the main things he’s been telling us is that adversity is here, and the only way to get to the other side is to go through it. There’s no other way to cut around that.”

The Commanders’ defense could receive some much-needed reinforcements for Sunday’s game. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who the team added at the trade deadline, participated in his first practice this week as he recovers from a hamstring injury. He could make his Commanders debut against the Titans.

The offense could be left without its two starting running backs, though. Austin Ekeler missed practice with a concussion, while Brian Robinson, Jr. was limited with an ankle injury.

The 3-8 Titans would appear to offer a “get right game” for Quinn’s squad, but the same was said before last week’s unexpected loss to the Dallas Cowboys (4-7).

Washington’s turnover-obsessed defense is eager to face Titans quarterback Will Levis, who ranks sixth in the league with nine interceptions despite missing three games with a shoulder injury.

But after last week’s debacle against Dallas, Quinn noted that he isn’t underestimating Tennessee.

“It’s an excellent challenge. [Their defense is] really stout inside. I thought, honestly, that their whole defense has really played tough,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed by what I’ve seen so far from them.”

After Sunday’s game, the Commanders will part ways for their bye week. The group will have 14 days to rest up and prepare for the season’s home stretch with games against the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons before a season-ending rematch with the Cowboys.