Commanders Put Trey Amos, Dorance Armstrong and Deatrich Wise Jr. on PUP as Camp Kicks Off

Washington announced on Thursday that cornerback Trey Amos and defensive linemen Dorance Armstrong and Deatrich Wise Jr. will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, a move that trims the roster and underscores lingering injury concerns as the team prepares for its preseason.

Core developments

The three players were placed on the PUP list before any pads were hit at the new facility in Ashburn, Virginia. According to the team’s official roster move notice, Amos, a 2022 fifth‑round pick who has seen limited action in the secondary, will miss at least the first six weeks of the preseason. The defensive ends Armstrong, a 2022 third‑round selection, and Wise Jr., a 2021 fourth‑round pick, are also slated to sit out the same initial period (WUSA9).

Armstrong and Wise Jr. each entered the offseason nursing lingering issues – Armstrong with a nagging shoulder strain and Wise Jr. with a hamstring that lingered from the previous season’s training camp (Hogs Haven). The team’s medical staff elected the PUP designation rather than placing them on injured reserve, preserving the ability to activate them later in the season without sacrificing a roster spot.

In addition to the PUP moves, the Commanders made a “flurry of roster adjustments” that included signing veteran safety J.C. Jackson, releasing wide receiver Thomas Ives, and promoting practice‑squad defensive back Jalen Redmond to the active roster (Yahoo Sports). Those moves, while not as headline‑making as the PUP designations, reflect a broader strategy to shore up depth on both sides of the ball before the final roster cut‑down date.

Head coach and general manager Martin Davis, who has been vocal about the need for a healthier, more competitive defensive unit after a 7‑10 finish last season, confirmed the decisions in a brief press conference. He said the team “wanted to give our guys the proper time to recover and still keep them on the roster so they can contribute when they’re ready” (Heavy.com).

Why it matters

The PUP list is a strategic tool for NFL teams. Players placed on it must miss the first two weeks of the regular season, but they can begin practicing after the third week and be activated at any time thereafter. For Washington, the timing is critical. The Commanders entered the offseason with a secondary that ranked near the bottom of the league in pass defense, and a defensive line that struggled to generate consistent pressure. Losing a starting‑level cornerback and two rotational linemen, even temporarily, could force the coaching staff to accelerate the development of younger players such as rookie safety Jordan Baker and defensive tackle Jalen Miller.

Analysts from Sports Illustrated note that the Commanders’ defensive scheme relies heavily on versatile edge players who can both rush the passer and drop into coverage. Wise Jr.’s ability to line up at both defensive end and outside linebacker makes him a key piece in that hybrid system; his absence will likely increase the workload on veterans like Chase Lloyd and rookie defensive end Jaxon Carter.

Furthermore, the PUP designations preserve a roster spot that would otherwise be consumed by a player on injured reserve. By keeping Armstrong, Wise Jr. and Amos on the active roster, the Commanders retain flexibility to add depth later in the season via free‑agent signings or practice‑squad promotions, a maneuver that could prove decisive if injuries mount during the grueling mid‑season stretch.

Reactions

Local beat writer Mike Kelley of Hogs Haven expressed concern that the roster move “highlights the thinness of the defensive front after a season that saw the Commanders rank 28th in sacks.” He added that the team “will need to lean on its younger players and possibly look to the free‑agent market before the September deadline.”

Conversely, veteran analyst Dan Miller of Yahoo Sports framed the decision as a prudent “injury‑management play.” He argued that “placing the players on PUP rather than IR shows the front office is confident they’ll be back in a reasonable window, and it avoids burning a valuable IR slot for injuries that may be short‑term.”

From a broader perspective, Sports Illustrated highlighted that the Commanders’ recent drafts have produced several high‑upside defensive prospects, and the PUP list could accelerate their integration into the rotation. The outlet suggested that “if the coaching staff can get the younger linemen up to speed quickly, the short‑term loss may be offset by long‑term growth.”

What’s next

Training camp will continue over the next two weeks without the three players, giving the coaching staff a chance to evaluate the depth chart at cornerback and on the defensive line. The next roster move deadline is the final cut‑down day on August 28, when teams must trim to 53 players.

Amos, Armstrong and Wise Jr. are eligible to begin practicing after the third preseason game, and the Commanders are expected to reassess their health at that point. If all three clear their respective injuries, they could be activated as early as Week 4 of the regular season, providing a boost to a unit that has struggled to stop the pass and pressure the quarterback.

In the meantime, the Commanders have signaled intent to explore additional depth options. The recent signing of safety J.C. Jackson, a veteran with a reputation for leadership, suggests the front office is prepared to fill any gaps that may emerge. Fans can also look for potential practice‑squad elevations, especially among the highly touted rookie defensive backs drafted in 2024.

Overall, the PUP designations are a reminder that health will remain a central storyline for Washington as it aims to improve on a disappointing 2023 campaign. How quickly the injured players return, and whether the younger talent can step up in their absence, will shape the Commanders’ defensive identity heading into the 2024 season.