Commanders place OG Saahdiq Charles, LB Cody Barton on IR

The Washington Commanders placed starting left guard Saahdiq Charles and linebacker Cody Barton on injured reserve Saturday, with both now set to miss at least four weeks.

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

In corresponding moves, the Commanders (3-4) elevated linebacker Jabril Cox and cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields from the practice squad to the 53-man roster for Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles (6-1).

Washington also removed defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (calf) from the injury report and will activate him on Sunday. Fullback Alex Armah was signed from the practice squad.

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 opened 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, and has not played in an NFL game since.

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 draft out of Utah. He has started 23 of 72 games for the Seahawks and Commanders, totaling 292 tackles and two interceptions.

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

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.