Marshon Lattimore’s absence screws up the struggling Commanders CB

Things weren’t exactly promising for Marshon Lattimore’s Week 11 participation by a long shot. The cornerback did not participate in training as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. It came as no surprise to see the Washington Commanders shut him out at the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night football.

Lattimore was acquired via trade from the New Orleans Saints before the deadline to shut down one side of the field and compete against the opposition’s top receiving threat. Taking the time to rehab should serve them well down the stretch. That won’t help the Commanders in their eagerly awaited division showdown, which will require others to step up and fill the void.

One player comes under more scrutiny than most.

Benjamin St-Juste came under fire again after Washington’s narrow loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. His lack of discipline or poor technique continues to give up frustrating penalties. Playing so far away from wide receiver Mike Williams and letting him whiz past untouched for the game-winning touchdown was unforgivable.

St-Juste revealed that he dislocated a finger during the game, which was not ideal. The reaction from fans on social media was top notch. However, this continued an ongoing trend for the Minnesota product of not producing when the stakes are highest.

The former third-round selection gives up 62.9 percent of his goals and has conceded 564 receiving yards through 10 games. St-Juste’s 113.9 passer rating given up when targeted is a career high. His production, or lack thereof, is one of the big reasons general manager Adam Peters switched gears and traded for Lattimore.

This indifferent form will not go unnoticed by the Eagles during their strategy for the competition. AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith have been a constant thorn in Washington’s side in recent meetings. The Commanders look outmatched against the prolific wide receiver duo, so defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. must find ways to limit their impact while keeping a close eye on running back Saquon Barkley.

It is a complex puzzle that the commanders must solve effectively. St-Juste will be targeted early and often. How he performs will largely be decisive for the overall result.

Washington did a great job of overcoming defensive deficiencies earlier in the campaign. They had no problem turning games into shootouts and relying on their high-octane offense to get them through. That was enough for a time, but a more complete effort is needed to hang with the NFL’s elite.

St-Juste must return. This could be his last game as the team’s No. 1 cornerback. He must respond accordingly.

Anything less will see more questions about his long-term future with the franchise. St-Juste is in the final year of his rookie deal with no new contract negotiations on the horizon. The next seven games represent an audition — a chance to change the narratives and prove he can be part of this team’s future.

To give a strong performance Thursday night football is a good place to start. Whether St-Juste can achieve this or not is another matter.

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