Cody Barton ready to return

The Commanders have activated LB Cody Barton (ankle) from IR and left him off the final injury report ahead of today's game against the Cowboys. That means Barton should be ready to reassume his lead position at LB. We've moved him up the Week 12 LB rankings and knocked LB David Mayo out.

The Commanders opened the 21-day practice window Monday for LB Cody Barton. He's been on IR the past four weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain in October. We'll see how soon Barton can make it back to the active roster. We'd bet on him reclaiming the lead LB role once he does. That makes Barton worth a look on the waiver wire in some leagues this week. Jamin Davis would slip to No. 2 and David Mayo back to a reserve role.

The Commanders have ruled LB Cody Barton out for Sunday's game against the Eagles. It's the move we've been expecting after Barton left last week's game with a walking boot on his sprained ankle. Expect a full-time role for Jamin Davis and LB2 duty for David Mayo.

Commanders LB Cody Bardon (ankle) sat out Wednesday's practice. He came away from Sunday's loss to the Giants with a walking boot on the ankle he sprained early in the game. We're betting Barton will miss Week 8 but will keep an eye on his status throughout the week. LB Jamin Davis will likely get full playing time if Barton sits, with David Mayo the next LB up.

Commanders LB Cody Barton left in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to the Giants with a left ankle injury and did not return. The Athletic's Ben Standig reports that Barton was in a walking boot after the game. We'll watch for more on his status, but that all doesn't seem to bode well for Barton's chances of being ready for a Week 8 home date with the Eagles. If Barton misses further time, Jamin Davis looks like the full-time LB, with David Mayo taking on Davis' usual role. That could mean anywhere from 65-90% of defensive snaps, based on Davis' playing time to date and how much Mayo played Sunday.

The Commanders have agreed to a one-year deal with LB Cody Barton that NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports is fully guaranteed. We don't know how much money yet, and it's likely not a number that locks Barton into a starting role. But there's room for him to earn starter snaps in a defense that might lose LB Cole Holcomb in free agency. Jamin Davis should be the best current bet for full-time snaps among Washington LBs, heading into his third season. Barton didn't play very well in his first starting turn with Seattle in 2022, which is why the team is letting him walk.