ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders outside linebacker Odafe Oweh was among four players cleared to play in Sunday's season opener at Philadelphia after dealing with a strained calf for nearly a month, coach Dan Quinn said.
Oweh had strained a calf muscle on Aug. 12 during a joint practice with Miami and returned to practice this week. He was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. It's uncertain if he'll be on a snap count.
He wasn't alone in returning as fellow outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (knee) and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (lower leg) and defensive tackle Daron Payne (knee) also were cleared.
It's a big lift for a defense led by first-year coordinator Daronte Jones. Washington already will be without outside linebacker/end Dorance Armstrong, who was suspended one game by the NFL for violation of the league's personal conduct policy.
Chaisson missed the final two weeks of training camp practices because of a knee injury. He and Oweh had been starting at outside linebacker as Armstrong recovered from his surgery.
But Oweh was Washington's prized free agent signing in the offseason -- his size, speed and length made him a good fit in first-year coordinator Daronte Jones' system as a pass-rusher. Oweh signed a four-year deal worth up to $100 million with $68 million guaranteed.
Last season, Oweh recorded 7.5 sacks in 12 games for the Chargers after being acquired in a trade with Baltimore. He also had three sacks in a wild card playoff loss to New England.
Oweh did not record a sack in his five games with the Ravens but had 10 the previous season.
Payne was not a question until being limited in practice Thursday. There had always been optimism about Croskey-Merritt, who led Washington with 805 yards rushing as a rookie last season.