Kaliakmanis' case grows and takeaways keep coming, but penalties leave Commanders work to do

Washington's 17-13 loss to Detroit didn't dramatically alter the Commanders' roster outlook, but it did sharpen several questions that Dan Quinn and his coaching staff must answer before the regular season.

Saturday's matchup provided further clarity on several position battles while leaving others unresolved. Here's what the performance could mean for Washington moving forward.

The Quarterback Hierarchy Is Becoming Clearer, but the No. 3 Job Isn't

Whether Dan Quinn decides to carry three or four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster remains to be seen, but if the Commanders keep only three, seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis is making a strong case to earn the final spot.

Kaliakmanis completed 11 of 14 passes for a game-high 162 yards, providing further evidence that he can move the offense when given an extended opportunity. Beyond the numbers, the rookie from Rutgers showed an ability to push the ball downfield and flip field position, connecting with Nick Nash for a 55-yard gain and Jaden Bradley for 30 yards.

Kaliakmanis was also the only quarterback on either team not to take a sack. While that statistic alone does not tell the full story of his performance under pressure, he showed enough mobility and awareness to avoid negative plays and keep Washington's offense moving.

The competition between Kaliakmanis and Sam Hartman will continue into the preseason finale, and another strong performance from the rookie could make Quinn's decision easier. Kaliakmanis has given the coaching staff plenty to consider through two games, and another productive outing could create the separation needed to solidify his place as the Commanders' third quarterback.

Turnovers Offer Another Sign of Defensive Improvement

If Saturday was any indication, Washington's defense is beginning to show signs of progress heading into the regular season. Just a year after finishing 31st in the league in takeaways, ahead of only the New York Jets, the Commanders forced turnovers on each of Detroit's first two drives. Amik Robertson forced a fumble that Joshua Josephs recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, and safety Quan Martin intercepted Joshua Dobbs on the next drive for his second interception of the preseason.

The Commanders have forced five turnovers through their first two preseason games, already half of the 10 they recorded throughout last season.

The turnovers weren't happening in isolation, either. Washington consistently generated pressure that helped disrupt Detroit's offense. Defensive end Charles Omenihu, who signed a one-year contract with the Commanders this offseason, was in on two stops during Detroit's second possession, a six-play drive that ended with Martin's interception.

The production didn't stop with the starters. Maurice Hurst II and Javontae Jean-Baptiste each made their presence felt in the pass rush, combining for three sacks as Washington's defensive front continued to generate pressure throughout the afternoon. Hurst's two-sack performance was particularly notable as the Commanders continue to search for depth along the defensive line. Jean-Baptiste, meanwhile, provided another positive showing in his bid for a roster spot. Washington finished with five sacks, offering an early indication that the unit may have more depth than it did a year ago.

Of course, two preseason games aren't enough to determine whether Washington has solved the defensive problems that plagued it last season. But the combination of pressure, takeaways and production from players competing for roster spots suggests the unit is moving in the right direction.

Penalties Remain a Concern

For all the positive signs Washington showed on defense and from its young quarterbacks, the Commanders also showed they still have some cleaning up to do. Washington was flagged 11 times for 84 yards Saturday, adding another area of concern for a team looking to eliminate self-inflicted mistakes before the regular season.

Quinn singled out the flags in his postgame opening statement, pointing to "the penalties, especially in the return game, that kept pushing us back." He added that limiting them had been "one of the things that we have hit the mark on a lot," making Saturday's total particularly notable. Quinn was also critical of Washington's situational football, saying of its third- and fourth-down execution, "I thought we lost both sides of that and wasn't up to the level that I would like."

With the regular season approaching, Washington has one final preseason game to clean up those mistakes. The Commanders practiced against the Baltimore Ravens in Owings Mills, Maryland, on Wednesday and will meet them Friday at 6 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium for Washington's preseason finale. The game will give Quinn and his staff one final opportunity to evaluate the roster and determine which questions from the preseason still need answers before Week 1.