Jonathan Williams

Commanders Sign LB David Mayo, RB Jonathan Williams To Extensions

The Commanders announced today that they have prevented two players from hitting free agency after signing linebacker David Mayo and running back Jonathan Williams to one-year extensions. Both players will return for their third season in Washington.

Mayo was originally a fifth-round draft pick for the Panthers in 2015 out of Texas State. He played out his rookie contract mainly as a special teamer, earning the first defensive snaps of his career near the end of his sophomore season. He would slowly earn more playing time in Carolina over the next two years but would only play more than half the defensive snaps in a game for the Panthers three times in four years.

After playing out his contract, Mayo signed a two-year deal with the 49ers in 2019 but failed to make it through the 53-man roster cuts to start the season. He would sign with the Giants just prior to the season beginning and, despite the lack of practice time with the team, would quickly emerge as a starting linebacker in New York. In his strongest NFL season to date, Mayo started 13 games, recorded 82 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks. After signing a three-year extension to stay in New York, Mayo would start the next year on injured reserve and see his role drastically diminished. He was released after the 2020 season and signed with Washington two weeks later.

During his time in Washington, Mayo has returned to a role mostly on special teams but gets quite a few opportunities on the field with the defense. In his two seasons with the team, he has gotten starting opportunities for a few games to end each season.

Williams is another player that’s bounced around quite a bit before landing with the Commanders. Another fifth-round selection, Williams started his career with the Bills in 2016 backing up LeSean McCoy and Mike Gillislee. Following his rookie season, Williams was cut just prior to the 2017 season, which he would end up spending on the practice squads of Denver and New Orleans. Williams would spend parts of the next three seasons with the Saints, Colts, and Lions, struggling to find any consistent playing time.

Williams’s roster spot in Washington has been tenuous over the years as he’s spent time on the practice squad and been released a couple of times. His best year came when he was with the Colts, but during his two years in Washington, Williams has carried the ball 54 times for 231 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Mayo should have an opportunity to start in his return to the Commanders next season. Williams’s role on the team is a bit less clear. The team is set to return Brian Robinson, Antonio Gibson, and J.D. McKissic to the running backs room, all of whom sit ahead of Williams on the depth chart when healthy. If Jaret Patterson also avoids free agency and returns to Washington, that would likely put Williams at fifth on the depth chart. Injuries last year provided Williams with his opportunities to play, and he may serve as an insurance option in 2023.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/11/22

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Designated to return to practice: WR Auden Tate

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Football Team

Washington Places RB J.D. McKissic On IR

The Washington Football Team placed back up running back J.D. McKissic on their IR this afternoon. This puts an end to a long healthy streak for McKissic who hasn’t missed extended time since 2018.

Antonio Gibson has performed as the bell cow this season with McKissic coming on to give him a breather every now and then. McKissic has carried the ball 48 times for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s shown his usual prowess as a receiving back catching 43 passes from the backfield for 397 yards and 2 touchdowns. The sixth-year veteran actually has more receiving yards and touchdowns over his career than rushing.

With McKissic out, the Football Team will have to lean on the rookie out of Buffalo, Jaret Patterson, and practice squad running back Jonathan Williams. Patterson has seen a bit of run in his first year carrying the ball 37 times for 135 yards, while Williams has only appeared in 2 games so far this year, including tonight’s contest against the Eagles.

Washington will be counting on the three backs as a win tonight would put Washington in the 7th seed spot for a contentious NFC.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/8/21

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Designated for return: G D’Ante Smith, CB Trae Waynes

Denver Broncos

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Washington Football Team

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/17/21

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Cleveland Browns

  • Released: DB Bryan Mills

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

Tennessee Titans

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/2/21

We’ll keep track of today’s taxi squad moves here:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

  • Released: CB Rojesterman Farris

Green Bay Packers

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Washington Football Team

WFT Down To 53-Man Roster

The Washington Football Team has its 53-man roster in place. Today, they waived/released:

The release of Montez leaves three QBs on WFT’s roster — Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke, and Kyle Allen. Barber — among their previously reported cuts — will exit a group that still includes Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic, and UDFA Jaret Patterson.

Washington To Release RB Peyton Barber

Washington will cut ties with one veteran member of its running back room. They are moving on from Peyton Barber, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The former Buccaneers back joined Washington during Ron Rivera‘s first year at the helm but did not make the cut to stay with the squad for a second season. This marks good news for rookie UDFA Jaret Patterson, who as of now joins the likes of Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic on Washington’s roster. The defending NFC East champions also cut running back Jonathan Williams.

Barber played 18% of Washington’s offensive snaps in 2020 and was on the field on 30% of Washington’s special teams plays. The 225-pound running back averaged a career-low 2.7 yards per carry last season, gaining 258 yards on 94 rushing attempts.

Barber, 27, led the 2018 Buccaneers in rushing (871 yards), delaying Ronald Jones‘ ascent, and is a vested veteran. This will allow Barber to head straight to free agency. Teams must cut down to 53 players by 3pm CT today.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/11/21

A long list of reserve/futures contracts to pass along:

Chicago Bears

Indianapolis Colts

New York Giants

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/1/21

We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:

Buffalo Bills

  • Signed: WR J.J. Nelson, CB Duke Thomas
  • Activated from practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: S Josh Thomas, RB Christian Wade
  • Released: OL Marquel Harrell, LB Deon Lacey, CB Lafayette Pitts

Dallas Cowboys

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Football Team