The Washington Commanders have a problem at wide receiver, so they have reacted by signing a proven deep threat to the practice squad. General manager Adam Peters once again took a page from his former team the San Francisco 49ers by snagging Robbie Chosen.
It’s a deal confirmed on Tuesday, September 30 by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who revealed Chosen will land on the practice squad in Washington. The 32-year-old briefly had the same role with the 49ers for part of this offseason.
Stashing Chosen in reserve represents a decent insurance policy for the Commanders. Especially with star wideout Terry McLaurin facing an ongoing injury concern, while fellow veteran Noah Brown also missed the 34-27 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4.
Robbie Chosen Gives Commanders Vertical Threat
McLaurin may be trending in the right direction, but his current absence with a quad problem has robbed the Commanders of the only true vertical threat in their passing game. This makes sense of signing Chosen.
At this best, the former 1,000-yard receiver with the Carolina Panthers could take the top off any pro defense. Chosen, formerly Robby Anderson, then Robbie Anderson, tallied an impressive career average of 13.4 yards per reception after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets back in 2016.
The problem has been a steep and rapid decline in his production during recent seasons. He “has 380 career receptions in 122 regular-season games, but only 25 over the last three seasons with the Panthers, Cardinals and Dolphins,” according to The Team 980’s Ben Standig.
Chosen, 32, has 380 career receptions in 122 regular-season games, but only 25 over the last three seasons with the Panthers, Cardinals and Dolphins.
Perhaps he doesn’t make a dent in the rotation, but Chosen is a 6-foot-3 target with a streamlined skill-set. One the Commanders can use if their wait for credible supporting acts for McLaurin goes unrewarded.
Commanders Searching for Receiver Solutions
They have a true No. 1 receiver in McLaurin, but the Commanders are still searching for solutions elsewhere across the depth chart. There’s nothing wrong with All-Pro Deebo Samuel’s versatility, but the wideout and sometime running back does his best work in underneath areas and after the catch.
It’s a similar story with rookie Jaylin Lane. The fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft is currently showing off his flair for the big play in the return game, the same area where second-year pro Luke McCaffrey is starting to live up to his breakout potential.
Even as a receiver, McCaffrey is best suited to working between the numbers and in the intermediate zones. The converted quarterback still won’t solve the Commanders‘ need for pass-catchers who can amass yards in chunks.
Perhaps Brown, the hero of last season’s Hail-Mary win over the Chicago Bears, can answer the call. At least when the 29-year-old is fully recovered from the groin injury that’s kept him out of the last two games.
Brown can stretch the field, exactly what the Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury need to expand a passing game that’s still a work in progress. Kingsbury has adapted by scheming new ways for a cobbled-together running game to dominate, but the play-caller knows star second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels, who’s getting over a knee injury, will be challenged to push the ball vertically more often as this season progresses.
Commanders Sign Proven Deep Threat Amid WR Injuries