Washington Commanders reportedly add defensive line depth with veteran signing
The Washington Commanders have had three players retire since reporting for training camp. Special teams specialist Nick Bellore retired before the first practice. Veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon hung up his cleats last week. The latest to be placed on the reserve/retired list was DT DJ Davidson who was just signed this offseason. Davidson wasn't expected to make the team, but he was a body needed for training camp.
The Commanders were looking for some DL depth today, and they had 8 defensive linemen in for workouts. Washington beat reporter Ben Standig, citing a source, first broke the news on Monday evening that Washington was signing DT Byron Cowart from that group.
The Commanders are expected to sign DT Byron Cowart, per source.
- Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 11, 2026
4-year vet (51 games) and ex-Terp. Was one of 8 players to work out for Washington today.
IDL depth after DJ Davidson retired.
He spent most of last season on IR (ankle).
Standig did not report a corresponding move, which will likely be announced by head coach Dan Quinn before Tuesday morning's practice.
Cowart was one of eight players to try out for the Commanders on Monday.
The Commanders tried out 8 defensive players:
- Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 11, 2026
DE Carlos Watkins
DT Byron Cowart
DT Fabien Lovett
DT Justin Rogers
LB Amari Burney
LB Power Echols
LB Devin Harper
LB Curtis Jacobs
Cowart has been in the NFL since 2019, when the New England Patriots drafted him in the fifth round of the NFL draft. The University of Maryland product has played regular-season games for the Patriots, Colts and Bears. He also spent time on Miami's practice squad. Cowart was with the Jets in 2025, placed on injured reserve on Aug. 26 and released later that year.
He has played in 51 games and started 21, with 67 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a pass defensed to his credit.