Commanders' rookie struggles raise alarm as brutal gauntlet shows no mercy

Washington Commanders offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. | Cooper Neill/GettyImagesRookie tackles tend to go through more growing pains than most upon their initial transition from college to the pros. That's proving to be the case for Washington Commanders' edge protector Josh Conerly Jr.

Conerly was expected to undertake a baptism of fire. The New York Giants' vaunted defensive front was first on the list. After that, the No. 29 pick was tasked with facing Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary on the primetime stage.

It did not go well. The Commanders tried to help Conerly, but when tight end John Bates was forced off the field with a groin injury, the Oregon product was on an island. He suffered…