Washington Commanders sign former HBCU star

The Washington Commanders have added a former HBCU star to its practice squad. Former Bowie State defensive lineman Joshua Pryor has been signed to the team’s practice squad. The Washington Commanders signed him as a free agent following the draft, and invited him to minicamp. Pryor was cut by the franchise in late August, but has apparently worked himself back up.

The 6″4,” 280 pound pass rusher played in 49 games during his four seasons. Pryor recorded 34 solo tackles (55 total) and 9.5 sacks in his debut season at Bowie State. At the end of his illustrious career with the Bulldogs Pryor compiled 245 total stops, 77 tackles for loss, 32 sacks, three pass breakups, five recovered fumbles, and four forced fumbles. In 2018 the All-American was named CIAA Rookie of the Year and All-CIAA First Team. Going into his second season Pryor continued to dominate for Bowie State. Pryor picked up Protect Your Skull Division II Defensive Player of the Year and Bowie State Co-Defensive Player of the Year awards, both in 2019.

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The 6″4,” 280 pound pass rusher played in 49 games during his four seasons. Pryor recorded 34 solo tackles (55 total) and 9.5 sacks in his debut season at Bowie State. At the end of his illustrious career with the Bulldogs Pryor compiled 245 total stops, 77 tackles for loss, 32 sacks, three pass breakups, five recovered fumbles, and four forced fumbles. In 2018 the All-American was named CIAA Rookie of the Year and All-CIAA First Team. Going into his second season Pryor continued to dominate for Bowie State. Pryor picked up Protect Your Skull Division II Defensive Player of the Year and Bowie State Co-Defensive Player of the Year awards, both in 2019.

There were two reported roster moves before Rivera announced the injury news, and another move was reported shortly after the presser. The Washington Commanders have reportedly signed DL Joshua Pryor and S Joshua Kalu to their practice squad. Both players were with the team during training camp and the preseason, and were released at roster cutdowns before the season started. Safety Terrell Burgess was also released, but was signed to the practice squad. He’s getting signed to the 53-man roster as the team looks for more safety depth.

Washington would have one open spot after today’s announced and reported roster moves, and they would likely be signing another player off of the practice squad.

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The 40-20 loss to Chicago was another splash of cold water on the face of the Washington Commanders faithful. It’s one thing to get boat-raced by Buffalo (a Super Bowl contender), but losing the way they did to one of two winless teams in the NFL? A team in chaos that is coming to your stadium on a short week?

Thursday’s loss may have been the best thing to happen to this franchise from a big-picture standpoint. It was such a loss that even the usually pleasant Magic Johnson went off on social media about the lack of heart and fire, which no doubt serves as notice to the new ownership group that the current coaching staff will not work long-term.

In year four of the Ron Rivera regime, they’re losing games like this to teams like that.

Howell About That: Quarterback Sam Howell threw for 388 yards but on 37 completions in 51 attempts. He was also sacked five times, lost a fumble and tossed an interception. His first-half numbers (when the game was in doubt): 9 of 13 for 71 yards and an interception, one sack and one scramble.

Running Aground: Howell also led the team in rushing with 19 yards on four carries. Brian Robinson Jr. carried the ball just six times for 10 yards as the Commanders abandoned the run during the second half.

Pass Catch Fever: Logan Thomas tallied nine catches for 77 yards while Terry McLaurin made four grabs for 49 yards (TMC on pace for 85 catches and 887 yards), and Jahan Dotson added three catches for 30 yards.

Third Down and Out: The Commanders moved the chains on 6 of 12 attempts, running just once (Robinson lost 1 yard on a third and one to force a punt on their first possession. Howell completed 6 of 8 passes for six conversions. His top target? Logan Thomas, who caught both passes aimed his way and made it past the marker. Yardage breakdown: 1-3 short-yardage, 1-2 when needing four to six yards, 3-7 long-yardage. For the season: 7-12, 7-14, 7-33.

D earns an F: The defense that helped Washington to its most recent playoff berth in 2020 and the one many expected to lead this team to respectability this fall allowed points on all five of Chicago’s first-half possessions. The Bears moved the chains on 6 of 9 third downs before intermission, and the Washington secondary was unable to contain wide receiver D.J. Moore all evening. The ex-Maryland Terrapin made eight catches for 230 yards and three touchdowns. The defense has coughed up 30+ points now for four straight games. Does it look like things will get better anytime soon?