Commanders Sign Veteran Defensive End

The Washington Commanders have made key roster adjustments as they prepare for their final preseason game against the New England Patriots on Sunday night. After losing linebacker Bo Bauer to a leg injury during joint practices with the Miami Dolphins , the team moved swiftly to fill the gap by signing veteran defensive end Justin Hollins .

Bauer, an undrafted free agent from Notre Dame , was on his second NFL opportunity after recovering from a college injury that limited his professional prospects. Initially invited to Seattle Seahawks camp, Bauer was later signed by Washington, where he hoped to secure a roster spot. Unfortunately, his time with the Commanders was cut short after he was carted off the field with another leg injury. The team and Bauer reached an injury settlement, ending his tenure in Washington.

To bolster their defensive line and add depth, the Commanders signed Hollins, a 6'5", 248-pound defensive end. Hollins was originally a fifth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Oregon. After being waived by the Broncos, he was claimed by the Los Angeles Rams , where he played for three seasons, starting seven games. His career with the Rams was marked by a significant injury—a torn pectoral muscle—that sidelined him for part of their Super Bowl-winning season. Despite the injury, Hollins returned in time to contribute to the Rams' championship run.

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Hollins has since been a journeyman in the NFL, with Washington now being his latest stop. The Commanders hope that his experience and versatility will provide a much-needed boost to their defense as they close out the preseason and prepare for the regular season.