Six NFL practice squads are taking shape after the 53-man cuts, with a slate of players connected to local roots landing on rosters’ perimeters. Jalyn Holmes returns to Washington’s practice squad after a Lake Taylor High/Ohio State background, Antwaun Powell-Ryland lands with Philadelphia, LaMareon James joins Cleveland, and Cole Christiansen signs with Kansas City. Rick Lovato signs with Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh brings Chuck Clark back to the active roster. These depth moves carry potential late-season impact and special-teams value for fantasy managers tracking rosters closely.

Local ties aren’t the only thread here; the Cowboys’ and Browns’ practice squads highlight how teams preserve veteran depth and development-projection in a volatile cap environment. For fantasy, the key takeaway is depth-chart instability at multiple positions, meaning sleepers on practice squads could ascend if promoted, while immediate Week 1 value remains limited for most.

Washington’s Week 2 preseason date with Cincinnati doubles as a final dress rehearsal for six players fighting for a 53-man spot. Sam Hartman needs a clean, impactful showing to boost his case for a No. 3 QB role and potentially snag a practice-squad path in 2025, while Chris Paul continues to cement himself as a lock to stick, pending a couple of snaps that test his space-moving ability in Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme. Chris Rodriguez Jr. headlines the running backs, needing to outpace a crowded room and prove he can handle more than special-teams duty as Washington trims its backfield.

On the receiving side, Ja'Corey Brooks has emerged as a sleeper with a chance to crack the final roster if he shows he can contribute on special teams and deliver after the catch. Jalyn Holmes is a veteran edge presence whose versatility could earn him a rotation spot, and Kain Medrano’s aggressive, hybrid-safety role keeps him squarely in the competition. The game also serves as a final evaluator for the Commanders’ depth along the lines and at linebacker, with the staff watching how these six key players respond to adversity and pressure in prime-time action.

Fantasy takeaway: Hartman is a long-shot but worth monitoring for a late-upside move or practice-squad waitlist, while Paul’s steadiness could push him into a regular-season role if he continues to show mobility and pass protection. Rodriguez Jr. is the truest in-season wild card among the group—watch snaps, blocking, and usage to gauge his add/stash value. Brooks, Holmes, and Medrano each offer late-round intrigue for dynasty or keeper formats if they rise in the final two preseason games.

The Washington Commanders are making strategic moves to bolster their roster for the upcoming 2025 season, re-signing important defensive line reserve, Jalyn Holmes, on a one-year deal. Holmes, who played a vital role in the team's successful run to the NFC Championship in 2024, brings valuable experience and versatility to the Commanders’ defense. In his first season, Holmes contributed 14 tackles, including five tackles for loss and two sacks across 11 games. Previously, he had stints with teams like the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears, before solidifying his spot within Washington's defensive rotation. With Holmes back in the fold, the Commanders aim to maintain their formidable defensive strength that contributed to their playoff success.