Commanders rule out Lattimore and 4 others for Falcons matchup

ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Commanders will be without Marshon Lattimore for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons after the veteran cornerback re-injured his left hamstring last weekend.

Washington ruled out Lattimore and four other players for Sunday night’s decisive game against the Falcons (8-7). The Commanders (10-5) can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a Carolina Panthers victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier in the day.

Right tackle Andrew Wylie (groin) and receiver Dyami Brown (hamstring) were the other starters ruled out. Linebacker Jordan Magee (hamstring) and safety Tyler Owens (ankle) also will not play.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn expressed optimism that defensive tackle Jon Allen would come off injured reserve in time for Sunday’s game. Allen tore his left pectoral muscle in a Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and was placed on IR on October 16. At the time, he was expected to miss the remainder of the season.

But the rift wasn’t as bad as initially feared, and Allen immediately set his sights on returning. Washington opened its 21-day window to return on December 19th. If Allen plays, he will likely be in the short term. Washington must make a decision on Allen’s status by Saturday at 4 p.m.

“He had a really good week,” Quinn said.

As for Lattimore, a left hamstring injury forced him to miss his first four games with Washington after the team acquired him in a trade with the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 5. Lattimore returned to the Saints on December 15th – they will not target him once.

But in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Lattimore injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game. It’s uncertain how much time Lattimore will miss. The Commanders close out the regular season in Dallas.

Without him, Washington can choose between veterans Mike Davis and Benjamin St-Juste and rookie Mike Sainristil. St-Juste replaced Lattimore against the Eagles and was the starter on that side before Lattimore began playing, but the team had begun to rotate in Davis.

Noah Igbinoghene will continue to serve as slot corner.

Veteran swing tackle Cornelius Lucas will likely replace Wylie. Lucas has started six games this season, including one at right tackle. Brown’s absence hurts because the team recently lost another wideout, Noah Brown, to a kidney injury. They claimed veteran KJ Osborn off waivers two weeks ago.