The Washington Commanders are adding veteran depth ahead of Week 17, signing former Detroit Lions quarterback Jeff Driskel and claiming All-Pro return specialist Jamal Agnew as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.
Driskel was signed off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, while Agnew was claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons with just two games remaining on Washington’s schedule.
Jeff Driskel Brings Veteran Quarterback Depth
Driskel, 32, spent the 2019 season with the Detroit Lions, where he started three games after Matthew Stafford was sidelined by injury. In those starts, Driskel threw for 685 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Since leaving Detroit, the journeyman quarterback has bounced around the league, spending time with the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, and the Commanders, where he appeared in one game last season. Driskel has made only four starts since departing the Lions following the 2019 campaign.
Jamal Agnew Adds Experience to Return Game
Agnew, 30, is best known for his time in Detroit, where he earned First-Team All-Pro honors as a rookie return specialist in 2017. During his four seasons with the Lions, Agnew scored four return touchdowns, including two punt-return scores in his debut season.
After leaving Detroit, Agnew played three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, earning a Pro Bowl selection in his final year there. He later spent time on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad before joining Atlanta in 2024.
This season, Agnew appeared in 11 games for the Falcons, returning 15 punts and 30 kickoffs. His 741 combined return yards ranked 13th in the NFL at the time of his release.
Commanders Address Special Teams Injury
Washington’s move to add Agnew comes after rookie Luke McCaffrey, the team’s primary kickoff returner, is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a collarbone injury.
With these additions, the Commanders bolster both their quarterback depth and special teams unit as they head into a crucial Week 17 matchup.
