Commanders insider offers bullish update on Marshon Lattimore’s playoff status

Marshon Lattimore’s status heading into the Washington Commanders’ wildcard playoff collision with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is something every fan will be monitoring closely. If this franchise wants to achieve postseason success, they need their most prolific cornerback on the field.

That’s something Lattimore hasn’t been able to accomplish more often than not since his high-profile trade to the Commanders before the deadline. A hamstring issue restricted his practice participation in the weeks after the move. He lasted just two games upon his return before the complication flared up again.

Lattimore wasn’t risked for Washington’s final two games of the regular season. This gave the four-time Pro Bowler an extended break to rest the problem. It also improved his chances of featuring when the knockout stages arrived.

The Ohio State product got some added urgency once Washington’s opposition became official. If healthy, Lattimore gets the chance to renew his rivalry with Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, which is typically highly competitive and often boils over due to their fierce dislike for one another between the white lines.

Examining Lattimore’s status throughout the week will provide a better indication of how the shutdown coverage presence is progressing. Nothing has been confirmed as yet, but one insider was bullish about the player’s participation this weekend.

Commanders insider believes Marshon Lattimore will feature in the playoffs

Lake Lewis Jr. stated during an appearance on the Rambling with Rio Robinson podcast that he’d be shocked if Lattimore wasn’t on the field. He believes the added adrenaline of locking horns with Evans should spur him on to involvement. Just how impactful he’ll be after missing so much time is another matter.

“I think he plays, starts, and for my money, I would be shocked if he didn’t. And I’m gonna go even further — I’d be shocked because of who they’re playing. We know his relationship, or lack thereof, with Mike Evans. Those guys respect the hell out of each other, make no mistake about it. But on the field, they are almost like sworn enemies. I think that gets your adrenaline going. I’m not saying he’s going to play and be totally effective throughout the game, but I can assure you he’s going to give it a shot, and that’s all you want.”

Lake Lewis Jr.

Lattimore’s participation is integral to the team’s chances. His ability to thrive in the biggest moments, take on the challenge of locking down the opposition’s best wide receiver, and the respect in which he’s held around the league changes everything for this defense. Even if he isn’t at 100 percent, the Commanders have to try in a win-or-go-home environment.

Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis have enough of a sample size to suggest they cannot be trusted against Evans or anyone else in the playoff pressure cooker. Lattimore brings a different mindset entirely.

The Commanders have erred on the side of caution with Lattimore since his arrival. Dan Quinn was confident that he wasn’t too far away from featuring despite being ruled out in Week 18 at the Dallas Cowboys. Providing there are no complications in the coming days, expect to see him suit up on the Sunday Night Football stage at Raymond James Stadium.

After all, this is why Lattimore was acquired.

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