Cornerback Marshon Lattimore will make his debut, and begin, within the Washington Commanders’ Week 15 matchup in opposition to the New Orleans Saints, head coach Dan Quinn confirmed in his Friday press convention.
After spending the final month recovering from a hamstring harm and studying the Commanders’ protection, Washington’s teaching employees is happy with the progress Lattimore has made and is able to add him to a secondary that ranks fifth in passing yards allowed this season.
“We’re simply pumped to have him again,” Quinn stated.
Lattimore was a full participant in follow all through the week, however Quinn stated the choice to play Lattimore was the fruits of all of the weeks that the cornerback has put in to get wholesome and contribute. The staff saved him out of shape till the week of its matchup with the Tennessee Titans in Week 13, and even then, he solely went by particular person drills.
All the whereas, Lattimore has spent additional time studying Washington’s scheme and impressed his coaches with how a lot he has retained, a lot in order that defensive coordinator Joe Whitt jr. known as it out throughout his Thursday press convention and including that the cornerback is additional forward of the place he can be if he had been in a position to play as quickly as he was traded away from the Saints on Nov. 5.
Now that Lattimore is able to go, Quinn is worked up to get him concerned and see how he can change Washington’s protection.
“He’s put within the work over the previous couple of weeks,” Quinn stated. “Now it is time to totally carry him into the Commanders scene.”
The Commanders knew including a participant like Lattimore — a four-time Pro Bowler and 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year — would raise their protection, and so they lastly get to see what that appears like. They anticipate he’ll have an effect on practically each place on the sector, from the cross rush to the opposite defensive backs, as a result of he can maintain his personal in opposition to No. 1 receivers. Now, gamers like Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil, Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin can give attention to different elements of the sector; and the cross rush can have extra time to get to opposing quarterbacks.
Lattimore stated after follow that he’s feeling good and able to go after not having the ability to play since Week 8, when he was with the Saints, in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers. Lattimore has handled accidents up to now, so he is aware of easy methods to deal with himself when he must miss time. It includes loads of endurance and learning to remain sharp whereas he is out.
“I used to be simply taking it one week at a time, at some point at a time,” Lattimore stated. “Whenever I felt good enought to play, that is after I was going to play.”
And sure, taking part in in opposition to his former staff does give him a bit additional motivation this weekend.
“I wish to be if not the very best, among the best on the sector,” Lattimore stated. “I simply wish to assist my staff win. That’s what I’m going into the sport pondering, being the very best I may be, and attempt to be the very best on the sector so we are able to win.”
Lattimore appears like he has a agency grasp of the system, however he additionally is aware of that it’s going to nonetheless take precise recreation reps to develop a greater information of the calls and what the staff expects of him. He’ll want to often depend on his new teammates for assist in that regard, and he is aware of he can belief them to place him in the best spot.
“They know what is going on on, in order that they know to speak with me,” Lattimore stated. “I’m new to the staff, so sure calls, I’m not gonna know off the bat. They’re gonna have to inform me, and so they know that.”
As for what he desires to indicate his new teammates, Lattimore has only one factor in thoughts: he is prepared.’
“I simply wish to be the very best on the sector,” Lattimore stated. “I would like all people to know that.”
Wide receiver Jamison Crowder (calf), kicker Zane Gonzalez (left foot) and defensive sort out Daron Payne (again) will likely be questionable for Sunday’s recreation. Noah Brown, who missed all week with a kidney harm, is the one participant who has been dominated out.
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