The Washington Commanders began their second week of OTAs Tuesday and made a surprising roster move.
Despite claiming cornerback Cameron Dantzler off waivers earlier in this 2023 offseason, Tuesday, the Commanders, following last week’s OTAs, have already determined to move on from him.
Cameron Dantzler real close to an INT on this one pic.twitter.com/h6fwiSiZbY
— Shawn (@SyedSchemes) October 2, 2022
Another notable roster move was the Commanders placed guard Andrew Norwell on the Physically Unable to Perform List. Norwell started 16 games in 2022 for the Commanders after being signed in the offseason to come in and replace 2021 starter Ereck Flowers, who had been released.
Dantzler was a 2020 third-round pick out of Mississippi State who had 149 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries while playing for the Vikings (2020-22)
Once Norwell is able to pass a physical, the expectation is that the Commanders will release him. Prior to coming to Washington in 2023, Norwell played his first four NFL seasons with the Panthers, followed by four seasons with the Jaguars.
With two roster spots now open, the Commanders then signed S Terrell Burgess and TE Brandon Dillon. In essence, the Commanders are choosing to proceed toward training camp with Burgess over Dantzler, while Dillon was added due to TE Armani Rogers tearing his Achilles tendon last week.
Rogers was an athletic quarterback at UNLV and Ohio. Not being drafted, Washington signed him because he moved well and had size (6-5, 225), thinking he could be converted to a tight end (think Logan Thomas). He had 5 receptions, 4 for first downs, and also had a rushing attempt for 24 yards in his rookie season in 2022.
Jet sweep to TE Armani Rogers on 3rd and 1. Great work by Rogers pic.twitter.com/Ab0jlVp1S7
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) November 6, 2022
Burgess played his college ball at Utah, was drafted 104th overall by the Rams in the 2020 draft, and has primarily been a special teams performer, starting only 3 games in his three seasons (2020-22). Burgess also played for the Giants in 2022.
Dillon is age 26, played at Marion, went undrafted, and had one reception with the Vikings in his three seasons in Minnesota (2019-21).