Commanders add new health director after trainers receive ‘F’ from players

The Washington Commanders have hired Tim McGrath to oversee the team’s trainers and player wellness programs. The move comes after the franchise’s trainers ranked 31st in the league in last week’s report card from the NFL Players Association.

McGrath has 20 years of professional sports experience, most recently working with the Cronulla Sharks of the National Rugby League in Australia. He initially joined the Commanders as a consultant near the end of the 2023 season.

“I’ve been impressed with the time I’ve spent with him since I was hired here in January,” said Adam Peters, Washington’s general manager. “He has a vast knowledge in all areas of player wellness and athlete performance and will play a vital role in improving our overall athletic training and athlete care services here in Washington.”

In his new role, McGrath will run the franchise’s training room and strength and conditioning programs and oversee the team’s nutritionists and sports science programs. Based on the team’s 2024 report card from the NFLPA, he has a lot of work to do.

Washington’s trainers received an F from players for the season. In the report, only 52% of Commanders said they received enough one-on-one treatment from training staff. The training room received an F-, ranking last in the NFL.

“The team brought in more staff this year, but many players still feel like there are not enough trainers and physical therapists in the training room,” the NFLPA wrote. “Some feel that the equipment in the training room is not up to the standard of a professional sports team and needs to be upgraded.”