Washington Commanders

Daron Payne and the Washington Commanders have agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: The new contract for the star defensive tackle includes $60 million in guaranteed money. The 25-year-old tallied 11 1/2 sacks in 17 games last season, which was good for 12th most in the NFL. With the extension, the Commanders have locked up a pivotal player on defense.

The Washington Commanders have released QB Carson Wentz after just one year with the team. (Source: commanders.com)

Fantasy Impact: Wentz was benched late in the season in favor of QBs Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell and his release felt inevitable. The former top pick out of North Dakota State spent one season with each of the Colts and the Commanders and is now a free agent. Washington saves $26 million with the move, and Wentz could look for a fresh start with a QB-needy franchise.

Eric Bieniemy has agreed to terms on a multi-year deal to become the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders according to Tom Pelissero. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bieniemy will take over a Commanders offense centered around wideouts Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson as well as running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson with plenty of questions surrounding who will be the team’s starting quarterback. The veteran play-caller will look to bring some explosiveness and consistency to a Washington offense lacking in both categories under head coach Ron Rivera last season.

According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Washington Commanders are letting potential offensive coordinators know they intend on having QB Sam Howell start next season. (Source: Jonathan Jones, CBS Sports)

Fantasy Impact: The Commanders traded for QB Carson Wentz in the offseason who struggled before receiving an injury. The Commanders found more succes in QB Taylor Heinicke but still missed the playoffs. After showing promise in the final game, the Commanders could be turning the keys to the young guy and seeing what they have in Howell. Despite being a fifth-round pick, Howell had plenty of first-round buzz in the 2022 NFL Draft and could be an interesting stash in dynasty leagues.

The Washington Commanders signed RB Jaret Patterson to the team's active roster following RB Antonio Gibson being placed on injured reserve. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Gibson and Brian Robinson will both miss the team's final game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys. RB Jonathan Williams saw a season-high 12 touches in Week 17 for 33 yards. Williams will likely be the team's lead back, but Patterson will also be active as Washington carries just two RBs into the final game.

The Washington Commanders are listing RB Brian Robinson Jr. as out for the team's final game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys. (Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: RB Antonio Gibson was placed on injured reserve and now Robinson will be out as well. Facing a top-tier Dallas defense, the Commanders will have a new-look offense led by QB Sam Howell with RBs Jonathan Williams and Jaret Patterson likely leading the charge.

The Commanders placed Antonio Gibson on injured reserve Thursday, ending his 2022 season. (Source: Commanders on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Gibson will miss the final game of the season as he continues to deal with a knee and a foot injury. Gibson tallied 546 rushing yards, 46 receptions, 353 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns this season.

Taylor Heinicke is expected to start for the Commanders against the Cowboys in Week 18. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Heinicke is slated to start Sunday's game against Dallas, but rookie Sam Howell is also expected to play. The Commanders are eliminated from the playoffs, so it makes sense to get a look at the former fifth-round pick Howell. For any fantasy managers playing in Week 18, it is best to stay away from any of the Commanders' quarterbacks.

Logan Thomas caught six of his team-high seven targets for 56 yards on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Thomas was the sole benefactor of Carson Wentz returning to the starting lineup, as he had one of his best outings of the season. Wentz has been known to have good rapport with tight ends throughout his time in the league so perhaps this was to be expected. Thomas will most likely be on the Commanders' roster bubble heading into 2023.

Curtis Samuel caught one pass Sunday for six yards.

Fantasy Impact: Samuel had one of his worst games of the season in championship week, but on the whole, put together a very nice comeback campaign after missing almost all of the 2021 season. Samuel is under contract in 2023, so expect a similar season from the swiss-army knife next season.

Jahan Dotson was targeted seven times Sunday, catching three of them for 37 yards.

Fantasy Impact: Dotson lost a major portion of his rookie season to a hamstring injury but has been very solid when he is on the field. Dotson will look to build off an ultimately strong rookie campaign in 2023 and could be a solid option if the Commanders find a way to upgrade at the QB position in the offseason.

Jonathan Williams carried the ball nine times for 30 yards Sunday and added three catches for three yards through the air.

Fantasy Impact: Williams has been a career backup but saw a career-high in touches due to injuries in the Commanders' backfield. Williams is not a long-term option in Washington and most likely will not carry fantasy relevance moving forward.

Joey Slye made his lone field goal attempt and lone PAT in Sunday's loss to the Browns.

Fantasy Impact: Slye finished 22-25 on FG attempts during the 2022 fanttasy season, making him one of the worst fantasy options among kickers who have started every game. It is hard to imagine things will be any different for Slye in 2023, but there is a good chance he remains the Commanders kicker.

The Commanders' defense allowed 24 points Sunday, sacking Watson five times and failing to force a turnover.

Fantasy Impact: The Commander's defense had a very strong first half but was unable to finish the job against a relatively weak Cleveland offense. The unit was somewhat disappointing this season as a whole but will look to return to 2020 form in the new year.

Chase Young is off the injury report for Sunday's game against the Browns. (Source: Ben Standig on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Young missed practice earlier in the week due to an illness, but he is good to go to play on Sunday. The Commanders need to win to hold onto the final wildcard spot in the NFC.

John Bates caught three of his four targets Sunday for 24 yards and a touchdown.

Fantasy Impact: Bates caught his first touchdown of the season and pretty much managed to outplay Logan Thomas in every way. Bates was a fourth-round pick of the Commanders in 2021 and has mainly played second fiddle to Logan Thomas. Bates will need to continue to see more work to be on fantasy manager's radars.

J.D. McKissic (neck) is being placed on IR by the Commanders. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: McKissic's season is unfortunately over. The Commanders placed him on IR due to a neck injury that has already kept him out of action since Week 8. The veteran pass-catching specialist finishes his season with 95 yards rushing on 22 carries alongside 173 yards on 27 receptions.

Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb has been ruled out for Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Source: Washington Commanders PR on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Holcomb has been dealing with a foot injury that has caused him to miss multiple games. He was unable to practice at all this week, so there is currently no timetable for his return. Jamin Davis should soak the bulk of the snaps at middle linebacker, with Jon Bostic joining him in nickel looks. Jamin is a LB3 with LB2 upside for tonight's matchup against the Eagles.

Dax Milne caught his lone target for six yards and a touchdown on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Milne has been mainly used as a kick or punt returner. However, with Jahan Dotson still sidelined with a hamstring injury various WR options have seen opportunities. This week Milne was the beneficiary of a red zone opportunity he turned into a score. Moving forward Milne will not be worth a spot on any fantasy roster, but perhaps at some point, he could be a possible option to pick up.

Updating a previous report, William Jackson III has been traded from Washington to the Steelers ahead of the trade deadline on Tuesday. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The terms are being finalized as the Steelers complete their second deadline deal within the past hour. Jackson was a bust for the Commanders' secondary, but will have a chance to resurface on a Steelers' defense that is mostly lacking playmakers.