Commanders second-year CB to undergo thumb surgery

Emmanuel Forbes is set to miss time early in his second NFL season. The Commanders corner will undergo thumb surgery Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 

Forbes sustained a torn UCL in Week 1, and instead of playing through the nagging ailment, he will take the surgery route to address it. The 2023 first-rounder faced expectations for a notable step forward this season, so this news represents a setback. No firm timeline is in place for his recovery, although ESPN’s John Keim notes injured reserve may not be needed.

Placing Forbes on IR would guarantee at least a four-game absence, but taking a week-to-week approach could allow him to return to action quickly. Of course, how the operation plays out will be a determining factor in whether or not the Commanders will move Forbes to IR. Missing the 23-year-old for any period will leave Washington without a contributor in the secondary, though.

After a stellar college career in ball production, Forbes entered the league with high expectations. However, the Mississippi State product only logged a 50% snap share as a rookie, and when on the field, he struggled in coverage. Forbes allowed three touchdowns and a 103 passer rating as the nearest defender last year, albeit one during which the Commanders struggled defensively to close the campaign. In Week 1, he gave up completing all three of his targets.

Forbes managed 11 pass deflections in 14 games as a rookie, flashing playmaking potential that could allow him to live up to his draft status over time. The 6-foot, 180-pounder will still no doubt face questions about his size when back on the field, and his ability to develop will be a key storyline for the Commanders as they rebuild under head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters.

With Forbes sidelined, Washington will move forward with Benjamin St-Juste as a starter on the perimeter, along with third-round second-round rookie Mike Sainristil in place as the top slot option. Veteran Michael Davis — who split first-team reps with Forbes during the spring — is a candidate to step into a defensive role. Davis played exclusively on special teams in his Commanders debut, while Noah Igbinoghene handled rotational defensive duties. One of Davis or Igbinoghene should be in line for an increased workload while Forbes recovers.