The Washington Commanders’ week is off to a promising start as they prepare for their Sunday night playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On Wednesday’s injury report, nearly every key player was a full go.

Most notable is the status of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was pulled from the second half of Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys due to leg soreness. It seems as if this injury is minor enough that Daniels would have played through it had the Commanders not already locked up their playoff berth, so this shouldn’t come a surprise. Nonetheless, it is reassuring.

Marshon Lattimore was also a full participant, which is more surprising given that he missed the regular season’s final two games — as well as four previous ones — with a hamstring injury. Lattimore will be one of Washington’s most important players against Tampa Bay, an opponent he’s well familiar with, and he’ll need to shake off the rust after only appearing in two regular-season contests for the Commanders following his trade from the New Orleans Saints.

Additionally, it has to be a sigh of relief for Commanders fans to see Frankie Luvu as a full go. He went down in Week 18 with a shoulder injury but later returned to the game, and it seems he is none the worse for wear. Luvu has been one of Washington’s most consistent playmakers on the defensive side of the ball this season, accounting for 99 tackles, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

A few Commanders were held out of the session, including WR Terry McLaurin and TE Zach Ertz, though both are listed with non-injury-related “rest” distinctions. A bit more concerningly, among those limited in practice were offensive linemen Tyler Biadasz and Brandon Coleman, as well as safety Jeremy Chinn.

Washington will need to hope for as many available bodies as possible for Sunday, when the Commanders seek their first playoff victory in 19 years. The team they beat back on Jan. 7, 2006? The Buccaneers.

NBC Washington reporter Derrick Ward, who has delivered local news in the D.C. area for decades, died Tuesday. He was 62.

The local news outlet reported Wednesday Ward died following complications from a cardiac arrest.

As a general assignment reporter, Ward was known for his coverage of tragedies and triumphs in the D.C. area. The D.C. native reported on a swath of historic local events including the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon and the D.C. sniper shootings, according to his biography on NBC Washington’s website.

Before Ward began reporting for the local NBC affiliate in 2006, he worked in radio at WTOP, WAMU and WPFW.

Joel Oxley, the president of WTOP News and Federal News Network, shared memories of Ward.

“Derrick Ward was truly an outstanding journalist. His passion and dedication shown through every day. But what set him apart was what a great person he was. His warmth and caring were evident at every turn. Everybody liked Derrick. I saw why right away. He’ll be missed tremendously.”

In a statement to WTOP, Ward’s family said:

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Derrick Ward, Sr., on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, following complications from a recent cardiac arrest. Derrick has been an inspiration and cherished member of our family and his hometown community, as a longtime reporter at News4 Washington, and previously WTOP Radio. As a distinguished journalist, Derrick’s storytelling, prolific writing, warmth, and humor touched countless lives. Our children and our entire family will miss him dearly.

We ask for your thoughts and prayers during this time, and we extend our gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of love and support. Details regarding his memorial service will be shared in the coming days.

-The Ward, Rampersad, and Sermons Families

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Ward grew up in D.C. and graduated from H.D. Woodson High School in Northeast and the University of Maryland.

Ward is survived by his three children.

See NBC Washington’s announcement of Ward’s death below.

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Neko Williams was walking his dog, King, near 19th and M Streets in the snow Monday evening when his pet suddenly collapsed. He said he could feel mild electrical shocks coming from the ground as he knelt to help his beloved boxer.

“I felt electricity on the ground, and throughout his body.”

News4 has learned King was not the only dog to die at the same spot that same evening after being allegedly electrocuted.

“I touched the ground, and I felt electricity, and I generally don’t know what happened,” Neko Williams said.

Witnesses said he was on the ground cradling his dog.

Nicole Williams said King was family and did everything with them. She said he was a support dog for her son, a gentle protector.

“We’re at a loss for words,” she said. “It’s hard to understand that someone could walk down the street and step and end up electrocuted. It’s just a freak accident. We really want to know what happened.”

The Humane Rescue Alliance told News4 it received calls about two dogs dying after being allegedly electrocuted at the same spot in front of 1140 19th Street Monday.

It said in a statement, “The first dog was taken to an emergency clinic by the owner and pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. A report of a second dead on arrival stray dog has been forwarded to Animal Control.”

News4 saw a large presence of Pepco employees and equipment at the scene Tuesday. A portion of the sidewalk was cordoned off and closed to pedestrians.

In a statement to News4, Pepco said, “Our thoughts are with the individuals impacted by this event. The safety of our customers, communities and employees is always our top priority. We are working closely with local authorities and are continuing to investigate this matter.”

The Williamses say they are grateful to learn King’s death is being investigated and that no one else was harmed.