Commanders are signing quarterback Trace McSorley

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Sam Hartman injured his right throwing shoulder in last week’s preseason-opening loss to the New York Jets. Hartman left the game and did not return.

On Monday, head coach Dan Quinn offered an update on Hartman.

“Sam will be out today and tomorrow, and I would say if he and a couple of other guys don’t make it back in time for practice, they wouldn’t play on Saturday; that would be where we’re at,” Quinn said. He did say that Hartman’s injury didn’t appear to be a long-term concern.

Washington is off on Wednesday as the team travels to Miami for Thursday’s joint practice. With Hartman missing Monday and Tuesday’s practice, Quinn said he’d be out for the week. In response, the Commanders added more quarterback depth, signing veteran Trace McSorley, per Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.

McSorley, 28, was a three-year starter at Penn State. The Baltimore Ravens selected him in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He spent the first three seasons with Baltimore, but in his third season, the Arizona Cardinals signed him off the Ravens practice squad.

Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was Arizona’s head coach at that time.

McSorley spent the remainder of the 2021 season with the Cardinals and all of 2022. In April 2023, he signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots but was released during final cuts. In October, the Bears signed McSorley to their practice squad but released him the following month.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed McSorley to their practice squad in December and released him at the end of the season.

McSorley is an Ashburn native, growing up minutes from Washington’s team headquarters. He played at Briar Woods High School and led them to three state championships. The 5-foot-11, 211-pound McSorley has appeared in nine career NFL games with one start. He has completed 48 of his 91 passing attempts with 502 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions.

To make room for McSorley, Washington is releasing second-year offensive lineman Mason Brooks. Brooks signed with the Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

Quinn will next speak to the media on Thursday ahead of Washington’s practice with Miami.