NFL
Why isn’t Clelin Ferrell playing for the Commanders against the Bengals? NFL Week 3 injury status
Jayden Daniels makes his Monday Night Football debut against Joe Burrow but won’t be backed up by defensive linesman Ferrell.
After losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their opening game of the 2024 NFL season, the Washington Commanders got off the mark in Week 2 thanks to a 21-18 victory against the New York Giants at FedEx Field.
Dan Quinn’s team make their first primetime appearance of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on Monday night (September 23, kickoff at 8:15pm ET) in a match-up that will bring together Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and fellow LSU graduate Joe Burrow as opposing quarterbacks.
All eyes are fixed on Daniels as he begins his NFL career and the 23-year-old should have a strong supporting cast lining up alongside him in Cincinnati, with one exception.
Commanders confirm Clelin Ferrell absence
In their final injury report before the game, the Commanders confirmed defensive linesman Clelin Ferrell wouldn’t be taking part after missing practices on Thursday and Saturday because of a knee issue.
“He’s a warrior presence for us in terms of the toughness and all that he brings, but it just hasn’t turned quickly enough for him to be fully him,” Quinn said, offering hope Ferrell may be ready to return in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals.
The fourth pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders, Ferrell dropped out of the team in his last two years in Nevada, but started all 17 regular-season games for the San Francisco 49ers in his only year with the franchise in 2023.
Will Emmanuel Forbes play for the Commanders against the Bengals?
Defensive tackle Emmanuel Forbes is listed as questionable for the game as he recovers from surgery on his thumb, although there is hope he will be available to make his return to action. Jer’Zhan Newton, Zach Ertz, Dorance Armstrong, Quan Martin, Brandon Coleman and Benjamin St-Just were also listed on the injury report due to minor fitness issues but are all in contention to play.