New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23)
The Washington Commanders‘ trade for cornerback Marshon Lattimore in early November was one that sent shockwaves through the NFL world. Acquiring the former Pro Bowl cornerback from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a third-, fourth-, and sixth-round pick was a bold move designed to strengthen Washington’s secondary for the stretch run. However, despite the excitement around the acquisition, Lattimore has yet to make his debut for the Commanders, as he’s been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
But there’s light at the end of the tunnel for both Lattimore and the Commanders. Head coach Dan Quinn provided an update earlier this week, revealing that Lattimore’s recovery is heading in the right direction.
“We’re certainly pleased with the direction that it’s headed,” Quinn said, offering an optimistic outlook. “More training we did today, some more Wednesday as we’re going and then hopefully we’ll see this trend continue to come up. I’ll give everybody a better assessment health-wise with the team on Monday. But we’re certainly pleased with the direction that it’s headed.”
Though Lattimore’s official status is still up in the air, the fact that he is trending positively suggests that his return is imminent. Quinn was clear in his confidence that if Lattimore continues to progress through the recovery process without setbacks, he’ll be ready to take the field soon.
The timing couldn’t be more dramatic. Lattimore could make his long-awaited debut in Week 15 against his former team, the New Orleans Saints, in a matchup at Caesars Superdome on December 15. For Lattimore, this game holds special significance, as he’ll not only be returning to a familiar stadium but also facing the team he helped anchor defensively for the past several seasons.
As a former first-round pick and one of the most highly regarded cornerbacks in the NFL, Lattimore is known for his ability to shut down top receivers. If he can stay healthy, his presence could have a major impact on Washington’s playoff hopes. The Commanders are looking to build momentum in a competitive NFC East, and adding Lattimore to an already solid defense could be the boost they need as the season heads toward its final stretch.
For now, the Commanders will continue to monitor Lattimore’s progress. His debut may still be uncertain, but if all goes well, the Week 15 showdown with his old team could be the perfect stage for Lattimore to announce his arrival in Washington. With the stakes higher than ever, Lattimore’s return could be a game-changer for a Commanders team that could use his lockdown skills on defense as they make a push for the playoffs.
