When rookie defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis went down with a knee injury early in the season, Washington’s line depth looked pretty frightening. Both starters, Jon Allen and Daron Payne, looked good, but they couldn’t play every snap, and needed to be spelled occasionally.
With Tim Settle and Matt Ioannidis allowed to pursue new opportunities in the offseason, Washington’s tackle depth consisted of Daniel Wise and whichever defensive ends might have some interior flexibility.
Immediately, Washington’s personnel staff set off in pursuit of potential depth options, presumably beating the bushes for street free agents and scouring practice squads across the league.