The Washington Commanders finally received some good news on the injury front Monday. Veteran running back Rachaad White returned to the field this week at least for individual work.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn shared the update with reporters Monday morning.
“You’ll see [White] back on the field doing individual sessions today,” said Quinn.
White is not yet participating in 11-on-11 drills. But he is progressing from the hamstring injury he sustained in a joint practice against the Miami Dolphins on August 12.
Before Monday, White hadn’t practiced since that date.
Over the offseason, the Commanders signed White to a 1-year, $2 million contract in NFL free agency. Washington expects the veteran running back to support Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a 1-2 punch in the Commanders backfield.
Last season, White ran for 572 yards with four touchdowns while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Commanders Get Positive News on Rachaad White
GettyWashington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn had a positive injury update on running back Rachaad White.
White was one of several Commanders who didn’t play in Week 2 of the preseason against the Detroit Lions. The team actually had a laundry list of injuries, which SI on Commanders’ Philip Hughes detailed pretty extensively last Thursday.
So, to get a positive update on White was a good thing.
White nearly ran for 1,000 yards during the 2023 season with the Buccaneers. During that season, he gained 1,539 yards from scrimmage.
White’s success in that campaign was tied pretty directly to the 336 touches he received. He hasn’t had even 200 touches in any other season, and his stat lines show that, as he has never been particularly efficient.
But last season, he had 790 yards from scrimmage on 172 touches. He caught 40 passes for 218 yards in addition to the rushing totals he brought to Tampa Bay.
That should be a nice complement to Croskey-Merritt. But obviously, White has to be healthy to be an asset.
White has a great record of health in his NFL career. Over four seasons with the Buccaneers, he missed only one game.
The veteran, though, is just one of a few running backs the Commanders have dealing with injuries. Croskey-Merritt is working his way back from a lower-body injury.
Furthermore, Jeremy McNichols has a quadriceps issue and didn’t play in Week 2 of the preseason.
Tim Settle Also Returns for Commanders
GettyWashington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn had positive injury updates on Rachaad White and Tim Settle to begin this week.
White wasn’t the only positive injury update the Commanders received. Quinn also had good news on defensive lineman Tim Settle.
Before Monday, Settle didn’t practice for about two weeks because of a calf strain.
“It’s good to see Tim Settle back today and at Baltimore,” said Quinn on Monday as well. “He’s been out for a minute.”
Settle will make his preseason debut against the Baltimore Ravens on Friday night.
Getting back Settle could be key for the Commanders. Fellow defensive linemen Johnny Newton and Deatrich Wise Jr. are both sidelined and probably won’t be ready to play in Week 1.
Defensive tackle Daron Payne is also dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Commanders Give Injury Update on RB Rachaad White as Roster Cuts Loom