Gamedays are going to look a little different for rookie Sam Howell for the next month, starting with the Washington Commanders' Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers. For the first time in his career, Howell is going to be in uniform on Sunday, as he was named the backup behind Taylor Heinicke.
It is an important moment for Howell, who was inactive for the previous six game. However, Howell does not plan to change his approach.
"It's definitely an opportunity I'm excited for," Howell told reporters on Tuesday. "I'm just keep preparing like I've been preparing. I've been trying to prepare like I'm a starter. And now, being only one play away, I'm gonna try to do everything I can to be ready if I need to go in."
The past few months have been a time for learning and growth for Howell. As the third quarterback on the depth chart, he has spent most of his time getting up to speed on the offense as well as fine tuning his mechanics to match the demands of the NFL.
The last time Howell was on the field was during the preseason, when he led the league in passing yards. Since then, his development has gone well by his and Ron Rivera's account. His footwork has been his biggest area of growth. For him, that was the most notable change from college to the pros, and he has begun to grasp the necessary timing to operate NFL plays.
"We're really strict on trying to be on time with all of our throws and being on time with our feet," Howell said. "I think I've grown a lot in that area, and I've put a lot of time into it."
And Howell also has players like Heinicke and Carson Wentz to guide him through his rookie season. He has picked up little things from them since OTAs, but the most important things he has learned from them revolve around preparation through watching film and picking up more minute details about their opponents.
"Little things that the defense shows you what they're going to do," Howell said. "And you get out there in the game, and you see it's actually true."
The team still feels Heinicke gives the Commanders the best chance to win on Sunday, but the staff also believes that Howell is on track in his development. What's more, he knows that he will be ready if he needs to be in the game.
Here's a morning roundup of what the local and national media have to say about the Washington Commanders on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. All reports, rumors and conjecture are a reflection of the media conversation and are not endorsed or confirmed by the Washington Commanders.
The reports and deals expressed in this article have not been confirmed by Washington, nor do they reflect any insider information from anyone in the front office.
- The Washington Post's Sam Fortier explains why Taylor Heinicke was named the starting quarterback.
- NBC Sports Washington's Peter Hailey looks back at Washington's previous matchup with the Packers.
- ESPN's John Keim reports on Carson Wentz's finger surgery.
- The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala also reports on Wentz's finger surgery.
- The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala writes about the Commanders' rushing success.
- The Athletic's Ben Standig writes about Rivera's passionate press conference following the Commanders' TNF win.
- The Richmond-Times Dispatch's Michael Phillips discusses the celebrations, meaning of that TNF win.
- The Washington Post's Sam Fortier takes a look at the Commanders' defensive stand that sealed a victory over the Bears.
- The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala reports on the Commanders' 12-7 victory over the Bears.
- The Washington Post's Scott Allen gives four takeaways from the Commanders' win over the Bears.
The Washington Commanders were on the field for a bonus day of practice to prepare for their Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Check out the top photos from the day. Photos by Emilee Fails and Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13824](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/civkrn4fbtvpcuao0shn.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13825](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/kbcnfdzs6ahaeu0juswu.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13826](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/lief1gbkwumkyx0szd2t.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13827](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/uy5dmkemwkuswgnwvf2h.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13828](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/z7xzxwhnf87gbcwcooie.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13829](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/y7xcow4hk0l4sbjmxbze.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13830](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/r260yaopi14ycvp5kung.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13831](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/do5ulztspjf7fiiu9ues.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13832](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/u8vpsfvkbdyv8eyqaged.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13833](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/imzcr1be90hzbanfercl.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13834](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/bersi4zj5g8fn5aiysot.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13835](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/ttg6xi5fcyacgk8zr0fg.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13836](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/s6inxbhbdfbw9uciqusa.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13837](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/icf5wcrgpqkiyviyzxef.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13838](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/syocnzidz4kowtjcuhke.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13839](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/wcjdgtxsmzhcohmevazv.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13840](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/cq51pwneriqwjch1fozh.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13841](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/zynw9dpldobgr1vreety.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13842](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/tswqwyputdaoaydelpkw.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13843](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/hi3wdaqechmdleicussd.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13844](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/v6kx94v44ne8cavkkcl9.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13845](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/qj6r8mh2wqmcp9e92bd2.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13846](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/rz97dbzm12luciccd6bw.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13847](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/ggihiwhplva2xuq2w3op.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13848](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/skcgsauzrth78vzq9udc.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13849](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/fkd6xev7t9mufthsbw2l.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13850](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/vnpuq54jbuhf5ogigltj.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13851](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/vhgjzuhmiphbuupbfss5.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13852](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/ow8qky7es1u0uaufeb4p.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13853](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/rwo7ysmgypisak0cyoqc.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13854](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/m7hbuuakp3m3p7iiaqj8.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13855](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/ckvvohb1gcmzwlnsy73h.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13856](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/jra3tsohmku6nvu0wxbs.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13857](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/ekjobjoegtlqvd6tc5i7.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13858](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/axk0s1zsfwnlxrarxo03.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13859](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/xf3vjlva9dvopomnq1f6.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13860](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/qphdoa2gpxfrzmszhzpe.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13861](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/zuckyvjvs11uj23xrifb.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13862](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/wqukrq8o1mja0j0qnypt.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13863](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/t2uirpr2e4d1ojzzbzfm.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13864](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/vdzhcbezrpjktwrctcz4.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13865](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/yn58sw8vurnpixo2rhfl.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13866](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/r7hsjt9tul1qyhh10lwv.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13867](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/wdymuhjvdcperqosapwh.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13868](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/qledy5w1dnl9xc0zjv53.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13869](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/zplmimyde73wl3aguwtb.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13870](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/tunfg3aucca03brdsrda.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13871](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/wdsfzpiapruwulu3st3x.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13872](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/qcyvzuycicdtr25vkya9.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13873](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/g72mfd3rbjxrxu2cvjir.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13874](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/fgxr4hhcqsocdhxb5ijd.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13875](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/o0zp4bojyudf2wm7vowv.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13876](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/hwezwq2wvsscgnx2x62s.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Tuesday Practice13877](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/ssokkhcfgubp41ejgm4a.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF002](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/eozhi9mljsjc31rk6skm.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF051](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/ltcnqlzsmbymhyujhwrr.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF057](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/zftx0ybcefsuiekmwkxt.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF048](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/tdqlmwfvg0gtjibz2epx.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF055](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/kn2zoid9mxjdtwzhbwkp.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF056](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/dir7jas1pzsskaamsnkh.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF054](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/ssnbteqhdbmri9yrifqd.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF053](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/itqqbstcmeruzm6qrkis.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF052](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/lgo3flf95t3q6q11mzwx.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF049](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/yqancozw0l33wqdemzfo.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF050](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/i37d6lt4eaprllwyidbb.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF047](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/wrrdsdaqlic36ih1i6yr.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF046](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/ihzteegozwxby6g475tr.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF045](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/o8qvrbulqxdan8i8fwzw.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF043](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/uenuve9rtq7wavxqsxpo.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF044](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/kgzvnpfwzokmjf59efdo.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF039](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/rpnj6qdprlbkrpumjtwt.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF042](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/nht9yef4v24spbyfhnya.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF037](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/s4qrohiy8ohaallkgaru.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF033](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/utbjaejlkvhejrr3yczc.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF035](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/zvgk1hl0whhz5vlqbn3e.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF032](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/yzafr906zoirhuemmpxa.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF030](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/uarl4mhrhupzloch9ud2.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF031](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/fpyzhl2b8trrpywrjbek.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF029](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/kq5gzjtyqvegjkedbhwi.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF028](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/safisylquiwcntmier20.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF027](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/sqp8lsjatwrdkdxd7r7q.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF026](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/on7upqqdntlb61e95d8n.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF021](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/wjm3sj1jsejrgmtqklyn.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF023](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/mzhzpyhrl2qwmanglk9g.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF025](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/mspzgsowjfwsc37kff3p.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF018](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/q5h6ulbsembf56txdwws.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF019](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/dbzte6btk6icbsms7bom.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF020](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/tdkxphckxnydwsl84zje.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF015](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/dpacprdnmf0wnhloq2cj.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF017](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/fk2kaqghzkxw2pr5dtnm.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF016](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/j6ouoankpjdkcqgtkttv.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF014](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/gqgf6m7hvx6xypzqmz1c.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF013](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/vf9ez9lhmtodsi9jjvor.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF012](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/tzcjvd3pt0jvhdsot09p.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF011](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/uo1g5elfmryh59rt5nyh.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF006](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/kgswohaizmgiyglyaboj.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF007](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/tmqqdixdjuhqsuyrcbuy.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF009](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/caccmb4vafbyfeqrbw0p.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF008](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/tteahglioyw37xajcxaw.jpg)
![10182022 Week 7 Practice EF004](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/redskins/qxcflti57vaab5rycilt.jpg)
Check Out What's On Commanders.com:
- Commanders sign Alex Armah to practice squad
- Mammogram van at FedExField centers equity issues around breast cancer health care
- Notes & Quotes | Rivera breaks down decision to start Taylor Heinicke
- Taylor Heinicke named starter for Week 7 vs. Packers
- Washington's red zone stops give its defense a boost
- From the booth | Effort matters most
- First-of-its-kind panel, THINK PINK ® game highlight Commanders' historic Breast Cancer Awareness kickoff
- Numbers to know from Washington's Week 6 win
- Game Balls | 4 standouts from Washington's TNF victory
- Commanders-Bears Stats & Snaps
- 5 takeaways from Washington's primetime win
- Instant Analysis | Commanders defense holds strong, secures 12-7 TNF win