The Washington Commanders are inking another along the defensive line
Veteran defensive tackle Byron Cowart is expected to sign with the Commanders. The news broke shortly after the veteran was among eight defensive free agents to work out for the team, potentially giving the trenches additional depth ahead of preseason
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Cowart, 30, also becomes the fifth former University of Maryland player on Washington’s roster alongside wide receiver Stefon Diggs, tight end Chig Okonkwo and safeties Qwuantrezz Knight and Nick Cross. Cowart also played with both Knight and Okonkwo during his time in College Park
Linebacker Amari Burney, linebacker Power Echols, linebacker Devin Harper, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, defensive tackle Fabien Lovett, defensive tackle Justin Rogers and defensive end Carlos Watkins were the other seven players to work out for Washington on Monday
The veteran is expected to join a unit that features ample pieces already on the 2026 roster with Daron Payne expected to be featured more outside than inside, according to head coach Dan Quinn, while Johnny Newton and Javon Kinlaw both return to bolster the depth. Quinn also pointed to defensive tackle Shy Tuttle as one who has stuck out through the offseason, while the team previously announced the free agent signing of Tim Settle to kick off his second stint in Washington
Yet Cowart arrives with additional experience through his four year NFL career as he looks to now catch on in Washington
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A former fifth round pick by the New England Patriots during the 2019 NFL Draft, Cowart totaled 67 tackles, ten TFLs and 3.5 sacks across 14 starts and 19 appearances through his two seasons with the team. Cowart was placed on injured reserve ahead of the 2021 season, eventually ending his time with the team, before he spent the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts, teaming up with Cross, where he registered 12 tackles and two TFLs across 17 appearances
After spending the 2023 season on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad, Cowart spent time with the Chicago Bears in 2024 where he first arrived on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster, registering 26 total tackles in seven starts and 15 appearances
Yet that marked his last stint in the NFL after he was placed on injury reserve ahead of the 2025 season due to an ankle injury suffered during training camp while with the New York Jets before being waived following the regular season
Cowart will now likely arrive prior to the official start of preseason with the Miami Dolphins arriving in Ashburn for a joint practice on Wednesday followed by the first preseason game at Northwest Stadium on Friday
