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Commanders OL Saahdiq Charles, LB Cody Barton out vs. Eagles
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Commanders starting left guard Saahdiq Charles and linebacker Cody Barton will miss the home game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles because of injuries.

Both were hurt in the 14-7 road loss last Sunday against the New York Giants. Charles, who started all seven games this season, re-aggravated a calf strain that he dealt with in training camp. Barton, who has 61 tackles in starting seven games, sprained an ankle.

Barton, 26, signed as a free agent with the Commanders in March after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Utah. He started 23 of 72 games for the Seahawks, totaling 231 tackles and two interceptions.

Veteran David Mayo will replace Barton, with Khaleke Hudson, a special teams standout, expected to get more snaps on defense.

"I mean, you know what we have to do," Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said. "What do we say? Next man up. That's what it has to be, right? For us, Dave (Mayo) is the guy. He stepped in last week, played pretty solid for us. They're a little different in what they bring, but Dave is the guy that'll play a little bit more."

Charles, 24, was a fourth-round pick by Washington in the 2020 draft out of LSU. Between dealing with injuries, he's played in 31 games, including eight starts before this season.

The Commanders have not announced his replacement in the starting lineup, though second-year lineman Chris Paul (one career start) and rookie Ricky Stromberg (three appearances) are leading candidates.

Washington (3-4) listed wide receiver Curtis Samuel (foot) and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (calf) as questionable for Sunday's game against Philadelphia (6-1).

Mathis, 25, was designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday. He has been sidelined with a calf injury since he was placed on injured reserve after the team announced its final cuts this summer. Wednesday's move opens a 21-day window for Mathis to be added to the 53-man roster.

The Commanders selected Mathis in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Alabama. He sustained a torn meniscus and exited on a cart during his NFL debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 11, 2022.

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

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