Chig Okonkwo - Page 2 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Commanders LB Leo Chenal has neck surgery and QB Jayden Daniels to return to practice this week

Washington Commanders linebacker Leo Chenal has undergone neck surgery

SEPTEMBER 28 • Associated Press

Set to practice in Week 4 Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that Okonkwo (hamstring) will make the trip to London and will practice in some capacity leading up to Sunday's game against the Colts, Nicki J...

Impact Okonkwo has been sidelined for the Commanders' last two games due to the hamstring injury, which he sustained during the season-opening loss to the Eagles. He wasn't able to practice at any point in the last two weeks, but the tight end looks poised to take a step forward in that regard in Week 4. Okonkwo will presumably need to upgrade to full participation by Friday in order for the Commanders to clear him to play against the Colts.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing in Week 3 Okonkwo (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks.

Impact Okonkwo wasn't able to practice in any capacity for a second week in row due to the hamstring injury that he suffered Week 1 at Philadelphia and thus will miss his second consecutive game. With Okonkwo sidelined again, Ben Sinnott, John Bates and Colson Yankoff will be the tight ends available to the Commanders offense and QB Marcus Mariota in Week 3.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to return for Week 3 Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Friday that Okonkwo (hamstring) is a long shot to play Sunday against the Seahawks, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Quinn is merely stating the obvious with Okonkwo absent from practice for a second straight week. His absence from last week's loss to the Cowboys allowed Ben Sinnott to handle a 67 percent snap share, but Sinnott's route share was only 38 percent as he split passing-down work with Colson Yankoff, who also had a 38 percent route share. Each of the two finished with one target and one catch, failing to show any fantasy promise in the likely event of Okonkwo missing additional time.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Unable to practice Thursday Okonkwo (hamstring) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Tashan Reed of the Washington Post reports.

Impact Okonkwo appears to be trending toward a second consecutive absence Sunday against the Seahawks, but he still has one more chance to practice Friday before Washington releases its Week 3 injury report. If Okonkwo sits out again, Ben Sinnott and John Bates would be the top tight end targets for Marcus Mariota.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing to begin week Commanders head coach Dan Quinn implied that Okonkwo (hamstring) will be a non-participant for Wednesday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Quinn noted that Okonkwo will be in rehab mode to kick off Week 3 prep, which suggests that the tight end won't mix into drills Wednesday. Okonkwo is still tending to a hamstring injury, which kept him from playing during this past Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Cowboys.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Commanders will reveal their true Ben Sinnott stance without Chig Okonkwo His usage will be telling.

SEPTEMBER 20 • RIGGOSRAG.COM

Commanders Rule Out Frankie Luvu, Chig Okonkwo for Week 2 vs. Cowboys Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Friday what most have feared all week: Frankie Luvu and Chig Okonkwo will not play Sund...

SEPTEMBER 18 • SI.COM

Ruled out this week Okonkwo (hamstring) won't play Sunday at Dallas, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Impact Okonkwo didn't practice this week but was spotted with the rehab group Friday. He left Washington's Week 1 contest late in the third quarter, which allowed John Bates to play 70 percent of snaps in the fourth quarter (Ben Sinnott took 45 percent, while Colson Yankoff played only 5 percent). Bates figures to play the most snaps again Sunday at Dallas, but he may be subbed out for Sinnott or Yankoff in some passing situations.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Goes down as non-participant Thursday Okonkwo (hamstring) is officially listed as a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Impact Okonkwo has missed Washington's first two practices ahead of a Week 2 clash with the NFC East rival Cowboys. The offseason acquisition was injured in his Commanders debut against the Eagles. John Bates would take on an expanded role if Okonkwo sits out Sunday against Dallas, with more snaps likely available for Ben Sinnott as well.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Thursday Okonkwo (hamstring) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Impact Okonkwo exited Washington's 24-22 Week 1 loss to the Eagles due to a hamstring injury after catching two of three targets for 16 yards. That injury has sidelined him for practice both Wednesday and Thursday. If Okonkwo doesn't recover in time to face the Cowboys on Sunday, John Bates would be in line to work as the top tight end for the Commanders.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Won't practice Wednesday Okonkwo (hamstring) won't participate in practice Wednesday, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Okonkwo exited late in this past Sunday's loss at Philadelphia due to a hamstring injury, which now will keep him out of drills to begin Week 2 prep. He'll have two more opportunities to practice this week before the Commanders potentially make a ruling on his status for Sunday's game in Dallas. John Bates and Ben Sinnott are the next players up at tight end for Washington.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Pass protection and chunk plays hurt the Commanders, who still came close to an upset in Philly

As expected, Jayden Daniels had to spend a lot of time in the season opener navigating a pass rush that Washington struggled to block

SEPTEMBER 14 • Associated Press

Daniels dime to Okonkwo nets 15 yards Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels completes a 15-yard pass to tight end Chig Okonkwo.

SEPTEMBER 13 • COMMANDERS.COM

Hurts hamstring, questionable to return Okonkwo is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 1 game against Philadelphia due to a hamstring injury.

Impact Okonkwo was deemed questionable in the second half of a close contest. Before exiting, he had caught two of three targets for 16 yards. If Okonkwo can't return to the Week 1 matchup, John Bates and Ben Sinnott figure to handle Washington's tight-end snaps.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy Football Bench Options To Start In Week 1: Pivot To Chig Okonkwo For Brock Bowers Or George Kittle Fantasy football players who might be on your bench, whom you can play with confidence in Week 1.

SEPTEMBER 10 • SI.COM

Commanders' Jayden Daniels is ready to quiet the critics entering his third NFL season

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is hoping to bounce back from a disappointing second NFL season

SEPTEMBER 10 • Associated Press

Listed as first-teamer in depth chart Okonkwo is listed as a starting tight end on the Commanders' unofficial depth chart.

Impact After a four-year stint to begin his career in Tennessee, Okonkwo moved on to Washington via free agency this offseason, agreeing to a three-year, $27 million contract. Considering the investment made in him, it's no surprise he's listed as a first-teamer ahead of the 2026 campaign, and with lacking competition behind him for targets in the form of John Bates (hamstring), Ben Sinnott (oblique) and Colson Yankoff, Okonkwo is poised to serve as the top TE for QB Jayden Daniels.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

TE Chig Okonkwo | 09/01/26 Washington Commanders Video: the latest Washington Commanders video clips and series on Commanders.com

SEPTEMBER 2 • COMMANDERS.COM

TE Chig Okonkwo | 08/22/26 Washington Commanders Video: the latest Washington Commanders video clips and series on Commanders.com

AUGUST 24 • COMMANDERS.COM

One catch in loss Okonkwo caught his sole target for 10 yards in Saturday's 17-13 preseason loss to the Lions.

Impact Okonkwo did not play in last Friday's preseason opener against the Dolphins, being sidelined with most of the starters. The tight end is set to be the primary option for the Commanders in 2026 after signing a three-year $27 million deal this offseason. If Okonkwo is to play in Friday's preseason contest against the Ravens, he will likely once again play a limited number of snaps.

AUGUST 22 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Friday Okonkwo isn't slated to suit up for Friday's preseason contest against the Dolphins.

Impact After spending the first four campaigns of his career with the Titans, Okonkwo signed a three-year, $27 million contract to join the Commanders this offseason. He's averaged a 48.5-504.3-2 line on 68 targets per 17 regular-season games to date, but more consistent QB play while working with Jayden Daniels in Washington makes Okonkwo a candidate to increase those numbers in 2026.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Intensity rises at Commanders training camp during the first padded practice

Dan Quinn began Washington Commanders training camp preaching the need for competition

AUGUST 3 • Associated Press

TE Chig Okonkwo | 08/03/26 8.3.26TECHIG%20OKONKWO_PRESSER.mp4

AUGUST 3 • COMMANDERS.COM

Wes Welker may have just unlocked Chig Okonkwo's Commanders breakout Things couldn't be going much better.

AUGUST 1 • RIGGOSRAG.COM

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Commanders LB Leo Chenal has neck surgery and QB Jayden Daniels to return to practice this week

Pass protection and chunk plays hurt the Commanders, who still came close to an upset in Philly

Commanders' Jayden Daniels is ready to quiet the critics entering his third NFL season

Intensity rises at Commanders training camp during the first padded practice