Commanders make SNEAKY Good signing... Major Updates | Commanders News

August 26th, 2025, the Commanders cut Ricky Barber. September 17th, 2026, they cut him again. And November 20th, and on November 4th, 2026, he is now on the 53-man roster, and the middle of the defensive line is counting on him. And this is not a panic move, because the last time Washington needed help on the defensive end, this was a guy that stepped in and did exactly that. Christmas Day 2025, against Dallas, his NFL debut, 15 snaps, 5 tackles, and 1 sack. The sack was on Dak Prescott, a 6-yard loss, and he got there by beating Tyler Booker. So the first quarterback he took down is the one the division loses sleep over. His career line going into this week, 2 NFL games, 5 tackles, 1 sack. But to see why he's still standing, let's look at how long the road was. Because this was a guy that never got handed anything. He redshirted at Western Kentucky in 2019. And in 2020, he had 58 sacks, 7 tackles, 4 loss, and 4 sacks. So he moved on to UCF and just continued getting better. He made first team all AAC there. And in 2024, he had 34 tackles and 2.5 sacks. At his pro day, he weighed 296 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds. And yet, nobody called his name in the 2025 draft. Washington signed him as an undrafted free agent on May 8th, 2025 and cut him August 26th before the season even started. They brought him back on the practice squad the next day and he waited. This season, Washington elevated him in week 2 and he never got on the field. So when someone says depth signing, understand what that means. This was two years waiting for that one opportunity to open up. That's his resume. But this is why Washington needs him more than ever. And that's because the middle of the commander's defensive line just got got it. Darren Payne had 14 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble in six starts this year, in the final year of a four-year $90 million deal. He hurt his foot in practice on October 30th, and reportedly it's a season-ending injury. And the timing is brutal because Payne was heating up. His tackle went from 1.3 a game early in the season to 3.3 a game over his last five. That's your best interior player playing at his best, and now he's done for the year. And because this is the final year of his contract, this could be the final snap for him in a Washington Commander's jersey. Javon Kinlaw went on injured reserves the same day with a knee injury, and Dan Quinn says both are likely out for the season. Kinlaw had 13 tackles and one sack this season before the knee injury ended it. And here's the wild part, the Commanders still beat the Eagles 27-10 on November 1st with both of them out. So who plays those snaps, you ask? Well, it's the guy the Commanders cut twice. And quickly, if you guys are enjoying this daily Commanders update and you want to stay up to date, especially with trade deadline coming up, make sure to hit that free subscribe button. I'll keep you up to date with everything to do around this team. So who is actually left in that room? Tim Settle played 42 snaps against the Eagles with four pressures and he missed two of his four run tackles. Total played 32 snaps and got a sack. Two players that held up in a big win, but that's close to the rotation and it's getting thin. Through seven games, Washington has allowed 99.1 rushing yards a game and 3.9 yards a carry. And on November 1st, the Eagles only ran for 91 yards, with Payne and Kinlaw both out. Washington got five sacks and an interception in that game, after trailing 10-0. So the floor isn't gone on this team, but with two starters out, every snap is mattered with this thin core now. Washington also signed Daniel Akwale to the practice squad. He's the 32-year-old and has played 64 NFL games. So that's the room. Settle, Tuttle, Barber, and a veteran. Plus Johnny Newton is working his way back. And here is why this matters more than just a depth move. Because this season is not over. October 11th, Washington tied the Giants 27-27 in overtime at home. October 19th, they lost 23-17 at San Francisco on Monday night. And on November 1st, it beat the Eagles 27-10 on Sunday night football after being down 10-0. That's 2-4-1, and the Giants are only 4-2-1 at the top of the NFC East. It's a division where Dallas is 3-5 and the Eagles are 2-6. So a team just two back from the first place just lost two starting tackles. But they're not out of it yet. So it means the unglamorous guy in the middle means more than any other name. And once you look at what he's actually done, it starts to make sense. In the preseason opener against Miami, he led the team in tackles and had a sack. Dan Quinn said, I like seeing him on the edge and pass rush. And Barber's answer was, I'm a competitor. I belong. He also said, I was waiting all season for my turn. He said that in August, and three months later, it is his turn. Quinn also said, he's in a deep group. That was true in August. Now that the group isn't deep anymore, the guy that was waiting now finally gets his opening. He's listed at 6'3", 295 pounds, but measured 6'1 at his pro day. And scouts say he wins with power and quick first step. Scouts say he's strong against a single blocker and quick off the snap. Which is exactly what you need to push a run play back or collapse a pocket. No new playbook and no learning curve. Washington got this guy for completely free and it's something that's been in the making for two full seasons. But I'm not going to sit here and say that he is Darren Payne. But I'm going to tell you why this is the perfect fit and what you need to watch for over the next three games. Sunday, November 8th, the Rams at home. Thursday, November 12th, the Giants on a short week. Monday, November 23rd, the Bengals. First watch Barber snaps. He played zero games this season so Sunday could be his first real action of 2026. Third down is another thing to watch. Quinn said he likes him on the edge and the way that he rushes the passers. Third watch Newton. He has 21 day window open last week so about November 18th Washington has to decide. And of course November 10th at 4pm Eastern when the NFL trade deadline will be taken into commence and what the commanders do from there. If those four things go right, a guy that was cut from UCF is the reason why this season is saved. And perfect doesn't mean that he replaces a $90 million player. Perfect means he comes in and fills in exactly the way this team needs him to. The depth chart already had him behind, of course, Payne, who's now out with Tuttle and Settle in the room. And there's a clock on this. Johnny Newton is in his 21-day window to come back from injured reserves. Dan Quinn said on Newton, The arrow is going up. Very optimistic for sure. So Barber's job is simple. Hold the middle until Newton is back. Now look at the money, because that's where it's spent. Payton's cap hit is $28 million, and Kinlaw is $16. And both of them are now on injured reserves. That's about $44 million of Washington's cap sitting on the sideline. So a practice squad promotion is the cheapest answer. Especially what you're paying with two guys sitting out. And the trade deadline is November 10th at 4 p.m. Eastern. And so far, no one has reported that Washington is trading for a defensive tackle, so there's a chance the room we see right now is what they're running with. It starts Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox. When the Rams come to Washington, they're 4-4 and average 125.5 rushing yards a game, and Williams has 548 yards. Williams ranks 14th among 116 running backs in rushing yards. So he's a real test for a line missing its two best tackles. And that's the first test for the middle of this defensive line. But the real test is everyone in the division watching. The Commanders are 2-4-1. The Giants lead the NFC East at 4-2-1, two games ahead. And remember, Washington won a game without two of their starters. So this guy doesn't have to come in and be an elite player. He just needs to come in and hold the line. And that's the job of a player that plays hard every single snap and from everything you read that's exactly what Barber does. And think about the downside. If Barber comes in and doesn't play well you didn't give up anything for him and you're not cutting anyone from the roster to get him here. This is just a win-win. And if he plays like he did on Christmas the Commanders got a guy that can play in the rotation for completely free. And that's why it's the best type of move. A free pickup on a guy that doesn't need to learn a new scheme. He comes in and it's a win-win in the entire situation. So you might ask, is Ricky Barber perfect? No, he is not. But this is a free pickup that can join this team without having to learn anything. And he comes into this group after leading a team in preseason, sacking Dak Prescott. This is a guy that comes in on the perfect opportunity. Would you guys trust this for the defensive tackles moving forward with the Commanders? Do you think they need to desperately make a move? At the deadline, let me know your thoughts down in the comments. I've been your host, Mark Five. Take care, Commanders fans. I'll see you in the next one.