In a stunning move that has left NFL fans buzzing, the Washington Commanders re-signed safety Darrick Forrest late Tuesday night, just hours after the Pittsburgh Steelers cut him from their roster. The decision to bring back Forrest, a player who spent the first part of his career with Washington, signals a deep commitment to strengthening the team’s struggling secondary amid a series of injuries and inconsistent performances in recent weeks.
Forrest, who was originally drafted by the Commanders in 2021, quickly earned a reputation for his physicality and solid communication skills on the field. Known for his ability to read the game and deliver in clutch moments, Forrest was a key part of Washington’s defense before an unfortunate season-ending injury sidelined him for most of 2024. After recovering from the injury, Forrest signed with the Steelers in late October in an effort to revive his career, but his stint in Pittsburgh was brief, with the team releasing him just before Week 11.
Washington, facing a secondary plagued by injuries, wasted no time in picking up the phone and reuniting with the young safety. According to league sources, the Commanders were immediately interested in bringing Forrest back, seeing him as a player who understands the team’s culture and can step in seamlessly despite his short time away.
“We know exactly what Darrick brings to the table — energy, toughness, and a relentless work ethic,” said one Commanders coach. “He’s been here before, and he knows what we expect. We’re excited to have him back, especially as we continue to deal with the challenges in the secondary.”
Forrest’s return to Washington couldn’t come at a more crucial time. With the defense being forced to rely on younger, less experienced players due to injuries, Forrest offers an instant boost in terms of leadership and reliability. His ability to communicate effectively in the backfield will provide stability to a unit that has been shaky at times this season.
While Forrest’s time in Pittsburgh may have been brief, it wasn’t without value. His experience in a different defensive system and his time on the practice squad will only add depth to his game, making him a valuable asset for Washington’s defense moving forward. His reunion with the team is a testament to the belief the Commanders have in his potential to make an immediate impact.
In a statement reflecting his gratitude, Forrest said, “It feels great to be back. Washington was where I got my start, and it’s a place that believed in me when no one else did. Now, it’s time to pick up where I left off and help this team get back on track.”
The Commanders’ defensive coaches have always appreciated Forrest’s versatility, and his physicality will be key as Washington continues to battle against some of the NFL’s top offenses in the second half of the season. Whether it’s as a special teams contributor or playing a key role in the secondary, Forrest’s presence will undoubtedly be felt as the Commanders look to climb out of the NFC East basement.
What’s Next for the Commanders?
Washington has made it clear that they are committed to winning, even in the face of adversity. With Forrest now back in the fold, the Commanders hope to stabilize a defense that has shown flashes of potential but has struggled with consistency. His return brings not only talent but also the leadership that has been missing in the secondary, especially as the team approaches the stretch run of the 2025 season.
The Commanders’ next test will come on Sunday, as they face off against a high-powered offense that will surely put their revamped defense to the test. For Forrest, the challenge is clear: he’s back, and he’s ready to prove that the best place to move forward is indeed where he started.
Stay tuned to ESPN for all the latest updates!
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The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Wednesday the team has activated quarterback Will Howard off injured reserve.
Barring injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have three quarterbacks, including rookie Will Howard, on their active roster for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season.
The Steelers announced Wednesday they activated Howard from injured reserve and placed him on the 53-man roster.
November 12 was the final day the team would have been able to activate Howard. The quarterback began his 21-day practice window on October 21.
Last week, Howard fully practiced ahead of the matchup versus the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Steelers left him off the active roster, still on IR.
To create space for the rookie signal-caller, the Steelers waived running back Trey Sermon from the 53-man roster. Sermon has played in four games with Pittsburgh this season.
Week 11 will be the first time Howard dresses for an NFL game. The rookie quarterback missed the entire exhibition slate and the first 10 weeks of the regular season because of a hand injury.
Also on Wednesday, the Steelers officially announced signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to their practice squad. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and other insiders reported the team was adding Samuel to their practice squad.
In a corresponding move, the Steelers released safety Darrick Forrest off the practice squad.
It would have been rather surprising if the Steelers allowed Howard’s practice window to expire without activating the quarterback. But the team did wait until the last moment to do that, leaving open the possibility that Howard wouldn’t return.
His activation doesn’t mean the rookie quarterback will play anytime soon. Aaron Rodgers has been healthy this season, and Mason Rudolph is firmly entrenched as the team’s backup quarterback.
But with his activation, Howard will continue to practice for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
Practice isn’t the same as game experience. But the Steelers weren’t able to get a look at Howard in the preseason because of his hand injury, which he sustained during training camp in early August. So, Howard will have to settle for practice repetitions for now.
He should also continue to learn while watching Rodgers play. Depending on how the season ends and what happens next spring, Howard could be in a place to contend for more playing time during 2026.
To add both Howard and Samuel, the Steelers parted with two veterans — one on offense and another on defense.
Sermon, though, is likely a candidate to return to the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers. The Steelers just signed the running back to the active roster prior to Week 10.
In four games, Sermon played just one offensive snap for Pittsburgh. But he provided running back depth and helped return kickoffs.
The Steelers added Forrest at the end of October when starting safety DeShon Elliott landed on injured reserve. Although Elliott isn’t coming back, the team also acquired Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots at about the same time and moved cornerback Jalen Ramsey to safety.
The team also brought back undrafted rookie safety Sebastian Castro on Monday.
With less of a need at safety, the Steelers moved on from Forrest to take a bit of a flier on Samuel.