ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders hosted the Miami Dolphins for a joint training camp practice on Wednesday ahead of their preseason opener on Friday. The workout is believed to be the first ever held at the team’s Ashburn facility, which opened in 1992 and has received millions of dollars’ worth of upgrades over the last few years.

For roughly two hours, the teams ran through a brisk schedule that featured one-on-one drills, seven-on-seven play, full 11-on-11 team periods that focused on the red zone and end-of-game situations, and a couple of special teams periods, complete with a series of field goal attempts.

The teams spread across two fields for the majority of the workout, allowing each offense to get ample time in team drills before combining for the final 11-on-11 series that focused on two-minute and end-of-game scenarios.

Joint camp practices have in recent seasons been key measuring sticks for the Commanders, at times exposing flaws that were masked in the early weeks of camp, and other years confirming the team’s strengths.

But this year may require more nuance.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways and observations from Wednesday’s workout:

Jayden Daniels displays his touch

Daniels looks as good as he’s ever been. The first couple of days of camp exposed some rust for the quarterback and the offense overall; his timing was off with receivers and the group appeared flat. But Daniels quickly cleaned it up and has shown a total command of first-year coordinator David Blough’s system, a comfort in working under center more frequently and a solid connection with all of his pass catchers — receivers, tight ends and backs.

Daniels has always been accurate, but his touch on the ball has been even better the last couple of weeks. During Wednesday’s first 11-on-11 period, he lobbed a perfect pass to Stefon Diggs in the left corner of the end zone, then lobbed a perfect pass to Diggs in the opposite corner, placing the ball high enough that Diggs could grab it over a Miami defender and toe tap for the touchdown.

During a later period, Daniels had four completions along the left side — one each to receivers Treylon Burks, Van Jefferson and Terry McLaurin, and another to tight end Chig Okonkwo — that were thrown so his receiver could grab it away from the defender.

Washington’s receivers room was once a perceived weakness because it lacked a clear No. 2 behind McLaurin. The arrival of Diggs quickly filled that gap, but the room remains one to watch for a very different reason: There’s a logjam that could make for a difficult decision when rosters are trimmed to the initial 53.

The Commanders kept six wideouts in 2024 and only five last year. The number this year will depend on needs elsewhere across the roster, but it could make for a tough choice for coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters.

McLaurin, Diggs and Antonio Williams are locks. Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey double as returners on special teams. Burks was the closest thing to a No. 2 before Diggs arrived. Dyami Brown is back and brings speed and blocking. That’s seven receivers. Who gets cut if they pare it to six?

Adjustments on the line

Washington’s offensive line looks wholly unlike the one that started camp. The front five was once one of the team’s strongest units, thanks largely to the continuity of the group and the play of Laremy Tunsil. But without him and center Nick Allegretti, the line’s shortcomings and lack of depth are obvious.

The biggest issue is not left tackle, where Brandon Coleman has taken over as the starter. The more concerning issue is the interior. Chris Paul is the starter at left guard and has been since he took over for Coleman last year. The two opened camp this year competing for the job, but that ended when Tunsil tore his triceps.

Paul impressed last season but has struggled this summer, often getting pushed back by Washington’s own defensive line or, on Wednesday, by Miami’s front. At center, Julian Good-Jones has been starting in place of Allegretti as he recovers from a calf injury, and has at times shown his inexperience. The product was significantly worse on Wednesday when the backups took the field; quarterback Marcus Mariota was often scrambling to evade pressure inside.

On the right side, second-year tackle Josh Conerly has been on-and-off, at times impressing in one-on-one drills while at other times appearing to get beat in team drills, and vice versa.

Washington entered camp with limited depth up front, and it’s getting tested early. The team can’t fully replace Tunsil, but it can still be successful — if the front five is at least serviceable and if the team finds reliable depth.

Plenty of pressure

The Commanders’ defense had a day. That’s a very good thing. But it requires a bit of context. Miami’s offensive roster is sorely lacking in nearly every area. So yes, Washington’s defensive line feasted and appeared every bit the attacking group that you’d expect from a Brian Flores-style defense. The secondary came up with multiple big plays (Mike Sainristil’s pick-six in the penultimate team period fired up the defense). But it’s impossible to know how much of their complete domination was because of them and not because of Miami.

Nonetheless, they ate. The Dolphins’ quarterbacks faced nonstop pressure.

“They’re getting after it,” safety Jeremy Reaves said. “They don’t accept being blocked, in run or pass. They pin their ears back. So, for us (in the secondary), we’re just focused on the pass. You don’t see DBs running down right now. … And that’s how this defense is designed — guys up front cutting up gaps, twisting, penetration. It makes it so much easier — complementary. And then that’s when the sacks come alive.”

In the words of defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw: “Hell yeah. That s— was cool as f— to see, bro. Shoutout to the guys.”

Other notes

• Coach Dan Quinn declined to reveal who would play and for how long in Friday’s preseason game against Miami, hoping the focus would remain on Wednesday’s practice. History isn’t much of a guide either; Quinn sat most of his starters, including Daniels, in last year’s preseason opener against the Patriots (Daniels played only four snaps in the preseason). In 2024, when Daniels was a rookie, he played the first series in the opener against the Jets and the full first quarter (two series) the following week against the Dolphins.

• Wednesday’s practice was open to season ticket holders, but there were several notable visitors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach attended and were spotted chatting with Commanders owner Josh Harris and team president Mark Clouse at the start of practice, along with Ross Sports & Entertainment CEO Daniel Sillman and Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey. Rapper and ardent Commanders fan Wale was also there.

Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement to sell captain Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid for €40million (£34.1m; $46m).

The deal will also include a 15% sell-on fee. Romero, 28, has agreed personal terms with the La Liga side and will complete his move pending a medical.

The Athletic reported last week that Atletico had renewed their interest in Romero, who had also attracted interest from Serie A champions Inter and Premier League champions Arsenal.

The Athletic previously reported that Romero is likely to depart Spurs this summer. He was not involved in the club’s pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand after starting in seven matches for Argentina at the World Cup, including in the final defeat to Spain on July 19.

Romero was named as Tottenham’s captain for the 2025-26 season by previous head coach Thomas Frank. He appeared 32 times, recording six goals and four assists. The defender signed a new four-year contract last year, extending his terms until 2029.

The centre-back has previously appeared to be critical of the Spurs hierarchy. After the January defeat to Bournemouth, Romero apologised to the club’s supporters, while appearing to point blame for their situation towards senior figures.

“At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don’t as has been happening for several years now,” he said. “They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies. We’ll stay here, working, sticking together and giving our all to turn things around.”

Weeks later, Romero said his side’s lack of squad options was “disgraceful” for their 2-2 draw with Manchester City, in the wake of an injury crisis.

Romero has suffered back-to-back seasons disrupted through injury. His 2025-26 campaign was curtailed by a knee problem. The previous season, Romero was restricted to just 26 appearances, missing over two months with a hamstring injury.

Romero joined Spurs from Atalanta in the summer of 2021. An initial one-year loan was made permanent in 2022 for €53m, with the Argentinian centre-back making 123 Premier League appearances for the club. He was also part of the side that won the Europa League in 2025 and was appointed captain ahead of the 2025-26 season.

He started in all but one of Argentina’s matches at this summer’s World Cup, and scored in the round-of-16 victory against Egypt.

Spurs have signed two centre-backs this summer, adding Marco Senesi on a free transfer after his Bournemouth contract expired and signing Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £52m deal.

What does this mean for Tottenham?

Analysis by Jay Harris

This is probably the best possible outcome for Spurs.

It has been apparent for a long time that they needed to move on from Romero and, crucially, they have agreed to sell him to Atletico before the new season starts.

If the defender had returned to first-team training following an extended break after his involvement with Argentina at the World Cup, the uncertainty around his future would have been an unwelcome distraction. Atletico have been courting Romero for over a year and are a far better option than the prospect of selling him to rivals Arsenal.

Some people will be wondering why Spurs could not command a bigger fee for their captain who only signed a new long-term contract last year and has won multiple trophies at international level. The 28-year-old’s injury history and poor disciplinary record would have worked against Spurs during negotiations.

Romero made 123 Premier League appearances for the club (Michael Steele via Getty Images)

Romero leaves a complicated legacy behind in north London. Romero’s centre-back partnership with Micky van de Ven was crucial to Spurs winning the Europa League in the 2024-25 season, which was their first piece of silverware in 17 years.

Romero was nearly faultless in the knockout stages of the competition and rallied his team-mates at half-time in the final against Manchester United. Over the last 12 months, he has popped up with some crucial goals, including an overhead kick in stoppage time to rescue a point against Newcastle United.

However, there have been six red cards since he initially joined them on loan from Atalanta in August 2021 which is more than any other Premier League player in that period, while he criticised the club’s senior figures on multiple occasions via social media.

Spurs have already moved on by buying Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton earlier this summer. Romero’s dramatic five-year spell with Spurs finally appears to be over.

What does this mean for Arsenal?

Analysis by James McNicholas

Improbable as Tottenham agreeing to sell Romero to their north London neighbours may seem, Romero was a target for Arsenal.

He has a good relationship with Mikel Arteta’s assistant, Gabriel Heinze, and Arsenal admired his quality, versatility and strength of personality. A deal was never particularly realistic, however. Spurs were insistent throughout that they would not negotiate with Arsenal for Romero.

Arsenal are interested in signing Ezri Konsa (Alex Menendez via Getty Images)

With the player now set to join Atletico Madrid, Arsenal’s search for defensive reinforcements continues. Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa remains a target, although the clubs are still some way apart on valuation.

Villa value Konsa at around £60 million. With the end of the window approaching, are Arsenal prepared to get closer to that figure to secure a deal?