Commanders' Preparing For Big Second Season From Injured Linebacker

Despite some injuries before the season began, the Washington Commanders were thrilled with how their linebacking room played last year. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu quickly became two of the most feared defenders in the NFC East.

There's another young linebacker the team hopes to rely on next season.

And it's one that the team was high on before he suffered a key injury last year.

Fifth-round pick Jordan Magee was seen as an exciting prospect out of Temple last year. A knee injury during the preseason cut his rookie year short, though. Now that he is back to practicing with the team.

His work has left the Commanders' defensive staff thrilled with what he can become.

"I'm really hopeful that he can stay healthy," defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said of Magee. "He's been showing great call command.

"I believe linebackers control the huddle and control the defense. And he's learning from Bobby [Wagner] and us how to do that."

Having Wagner as a leader at linebacker is like a cheat code in the NFL today. The veteran All-Pro has played at such a high level over the years that there aren't many surprises he hasn't seen on the defensive side of the ball.

That kind of leadership is incredibly important for any team, but it is even more so with a young linebacker like Magee.

It isn't easy to determine how successful the Temple product will be once he gets meaningful action. After all, he's playing behind two Pro Bowl players.

But if he can continue to impress his coaching staff, the Commanders may have a late-round steal from last year's draft class at a key position of value.