Commanders Activate Deatrich Wise Jr., Shuffle Roster Ahead of Giants Matchup

The Washington Commanders are shuffling the deck ahead of their NFC East clash with the Giants, and it is a classic mix of good news, bad news, and practice squad bingo.

Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Washington is officially activating defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. off the Physically Unable to Perform list. To fill out the game-day roster, they are also elevating safety Darren Hall and wide receiver Van Jefferson from the practice squad.

"Ian Rapoport reported the roster moves on Saturday."

The reinforcements are necessary because the injury report just took a bite out of the depth chart. Cornerback Trey Amos is sidelined with an ankle issue, and running back Jeremy McNichols is officially out with a quad injury.

Getting Wise back is the real headline here. Washington's defense just gave up 30 points in a blowout 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week, looking about as sturdy as a wet paper towel. Adding a veteran edge rusher back into the rotation is a desperate necessity right now, not a luxury.

Meanwhile, elevating a known commodity like Jefferson tells you exactly where the receiving room is at. When you are pulling veterans off the practice squad in October, you are just trying to survive the weekend without your quarterback running for his life on every dropback.

The Commanders host the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon, and these defensive tweaks will be tested immediately. Bettors eyeing the total might want to see if Wise can actually generate pressure on his first day back at the office, or if Washington's secondary will keep handing out free yardage without Amos in the mix.