Washington Commanders Cut Ties with Dominique Hampton Following Loss to Patriots | NFL Updates – Times of India

The Washington Commanders have made the decision to release their fifth-round 161st overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, Dominique Hampton, just days before the 2025 NFL season. The decision likely was influenced by the 48-18 loss to the New England Patriots during a preseason game, in which Hampton only managed to make five tackles.

This move is part of a series of drastic roster changes made by the Commanders after just one preseason game. They have signed cornerback Essang Bassey, cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr., and linebacker Duke Riley, while releasing defensive end Viliami Fehoko Jr., cornerback Allan George, and linebacker Dominique Hampton. They also placed tackle Lucas Niang and cornerback Kevon Seymour on the Reserve/Injured List.

There has been varied fan reaction to the team’s decision to release Hampton. Some are disappointed, feeling that the linebacker didn’t have an adequate chance to showcase his abilities. Others believe the move was anticipated given Hampton’s perceived lack of performance.

In the 2025 offseason, Linebackers Coach Ken Norton Jr. had praised Hampton, complimenting his hard work, physical conditioning, and cognitive understanding of the game. Yet it appears a below-par showing in one preseason game has cost him his place on the team.

Dominique Hampton, 25, played college football for the Washington Huskies as a safety and made a total of 109 tackles, seven pass deflections, and made two interceptions in 57 games there. The Commanders selected Hampton in the previous year’s NFL Draft, shifting him to the position of a linebacker. On May 10, 2024, Hampton signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4.33 million. His projected base salary for the 2025 NFL season was to be $960,000. However, during the first game of the 2025 NFL Preseason against the New England Patriots, the young linebacker only managed to accumulate five tackles—two solo and three assisted.