Two weeks into Commanders training camp, the tone in Ashburn has been mostly upbeat - until the blow to Laremy Tunsil. The injury to the elite left tackle is the kind of setback that can shake up everything Washington is building, and it leaves Dan Quinn and Adam Peters with a tough call ahead.
Quinn will keep coaching the group in front of him, while Peters weighs whether the roster needs more help. For now, it’s still a classic NFL answer: next man up.
That reality is about to get tested in a big way. Washington has joint practice with the Miami Dolphins coming up before its first preseason game against the AFC East team, so the next stretch is all about players locking down jobs or forcing their way into the picture.
With that in mind, here are the standouts and the letdowns from Week 2 of the Commanders’ 2026 training camp in Ashburn.
Joshua Josephs has started to turn heads, even if more attention has gone to fellow draft picks Sonny Styles and Antonio Williams. The fifth-round edge rusher is flashing at the right time.
He’s been described as explosive, with a first step that jumps off the tape and the bend to make life miserable for offensive linemen. He also brings the ability to drop into coverage, which fits neatly in Daronte Jones’ flexible defensive scheme.
Josephs is still working behind more seasoned pass rushers on the depth chart, but if he carries this into the preseason, Washington is going to have to find a way to use him.
Jeremy Reaves is making a strong case to be the answer at safety opposite free-agent addition Nick Cross. The battle isn’t officially over, but Reaves seems to be moving toward the job.
Reports from camp have been glowing, and Dan Quinn has been especially vocal in his praise, saying he wished he had more players with Reaves’ passion, leadership and influence. Washington’s secondary is expected to be used in a variety of ways, but Reaves looks positioned for a major role.
This is his ninth season with the Commanders, and he’s gone from a quiet start to becoming an All-Pro special teamer and then a defensive contributor. If camp is any indication, his impact is still climbing.
In Other News...
Commanders Camp Suddenly Has A New Opportunity Fans Need To Watch
The Commanders third padded practice arrived with the group already thinning in a few key spots, and that created room for some of the newer names in camp to keep pushing. As Washington ramps up for a joint session with the Dolphins and its first preseason game, players like running back Kaytron Allen, wide receiver Antonio Williams, edge rusher KLavon Chaisson and center Julian Good-Gones turned in noticeable work on the field and helped keep the practice competitive.
Dan Quinn also confirmed that center Nick Allegretti and tight end John Bates will be out for at least another week, which leaves the team juggling some familiar camp absences at positions where depth matters. The bigger ripple, though, is at left tackle, where Laremy Tunsils injury has created a sudden opening for someone to seize, and that kind of opportunity tends to change the temperature of a training camp fast. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Depth Chart Offers Early Clues On Young Players Rising
After eight days of training camp, the Commanders put out their first unofficial depth chart of the season, giving an early snapshot of where things stand as the roster starts to take shape. Head coach Dan Quinn was quick to downplay how much weight it should carry, but it still offered a useful look at the players making noise in the opening stretch, including Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane.
The chart also hints at where competition remains open, with players such as K'Lavon Chaisson and Sonny Styles listed in spots that reflect the current pecking order without locking anything in. For a team still sorting roles in camp, the bigger takeaway is less about who is on top today and more about which young players are starting to climb into the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Receiver Reshuffle Just Cost Washington A Speed Threat
A receiver reshuffle in Washington has now sent Chris Hilton Jr. elsewhere, with the Green Bay Packers claiming the undrafted rookie off waivers. Hilton, known for his speed and vertical explosiveness, had been waived by the Commanders as they made room on the roster, and his exit trims one more fast-moving option from a group that has already been in flux.
Green Bay moved quickly because injuries have thinned its receiver room, and Hilton is expected to join the Packers after passing a physical. For Washington, the move is another reminder of how little margin there is when a promising young wideout gets squeezed out, especially one whose biggest calling card is the kind of downfield speed teams are always looking to keep around. [Read more 🡒]