Washington Commanders Roster Moves: Tucker Addington signed to replace long snapper Camaron Cheeseman

New long snapper!

The Washington Commanders released long snapper Camaron Cheeseman yesterday, a move that should have happened months ago. Cheeseman changed his snapping technique this off-season, and he has struggled since training camp. The effects of Cheeseman’s bad snaps have been mostly minimized by Tress Way saving the day, but a punt snap vs the Rams on Sunday nearly took him out of the game when it skipped on the ground and he was tackled while securing the ball.

Ron Rivera has known this was a problem all season, but has stubbornly refused to make a change. Washington brought in five long snappers for tryouts after Week 2’s win over the Broncos. Cheeseman was retained, and two of those tryout players went on to sign with other teams. Washington is reportedly signing long snapper Tucker Addington to the practice squad with the intention of elevating him for the final three games. This allows the team to have some roster flexibility with their open spot, and add a player for the next coaching staff to get some film on.

Tucker Addington was undrafted out of Sam Houston State in 2020. He didn’t play football professionally until two years later when he joined the USFL’s Houston Gamblers, where he was drafted in the 6th round. Addington moved on to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, losing a competition for the long snapper spot. He got the job with the New England Patriots, and played in three games for them as an injury replacement. His last stint in the NFL was with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. but he was released before the season started.

Addington will join the team this week, and work on getting into sync with punter Tress Way, and kicker Joey Slye. If he can avoid bouncing the ball to Way, or being even college level-competent, he should get another three game audition to continue his career in the NFL.

Addington attended the Texas Long Snapping organization, where he recorded the fasted ball speed of any alumni with an average speed of .65. He was also inducted into the organization’s Hall of Honor.