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John Keim, ESPN writer
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore will miss his third straight game since being traded earlier this month, but coach Dan Quinn expressed optimism about when he might return.
Lattimore was ruled out for Sunday’s 1 pm ET game between the Commanders (7-4) and the Dallas Cowboys (3-7).
Washington acquired Lattimore and a fifth-round pick from the Saints on Nov. 5 for third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks. At the time, Washington said the trade was as much about the future as it was about this season. Lattimore has a contract until 2026.
Lattimore has not played since suffering a hamstring injury on October 20.
Asked if he was optimistic Lattimore could return next week against Tennessee, Quinn said, “Yeah, I am.”
Lattimore has been present at meetings and participated in tours. He also worked on the sidelines during practices, running drills to test his lateral movement and mimicking how a cornerback would react in coverage.
Washington has a bye after its Week 13 game against the Titans before playing at New Orleans on December 22. Quinn said the team won’t just save Lattimore until after the break.
“It’s really more when you’re ready,” Quinn said. “And if that was before half-time, then that’s when it would be.”
“You have to make sure that these soft tissue injuries are strong, the quads, the glutes, the calves and the hamstrings. And then if he’s fully healed and he’s able to do all the things, the top speeds, then that would be the marker to go. But not until then.”
