The Commanders’ center situation has taken on a new layer of uncertainty, even after head coach Dan Quinn delivered a reassuring update on Nick Allegretti.
Allegretti, the projected starter, had been dealing with calf tightness while working back from a strain. Quinn said the imaging came back clear, which is obviously good news for Washington. But it doesn’t erase the bigger issue: the Commanders have leaned hard on Allegretti this offseason, and he has missed enough reps that the concern is no longer theoretical.
Washington moved on from Tyler Biadasz and gave the Illinois product an extension before the season, a clear sign of confidence. Now, with Allegretti’s availability in question and the backup picture looking thin, Adam Peters may need to revisit the plan. The team can wait and see for the moment, but if Allegretti keeps showing signs of frailty, outside help starts to look a lot more appealing.
The veteran market doesn’t offer much. A waiver claim after final cuts could open a door, but there’s no guarantee anything useful shakes loose. That leaves trade possibilities, and one name worth keeping in mind is Jackson Powers-Johnson of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Powers-Johnson was a standout center at Oregon before the Raiders selected him at No. 44 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. His play over the last two seasons has been solid if unspectacular, but Las Vegas still moved to sign Tyler Linderbaum, which pushed Powers-Johnson to right guard. A return to center would make sense on paper, and it’s the kind of move Washington could at least examine.
There’s a catch, though, and it’s a major one. Powers-Johnson’s 2025 season ended after just seven games because of an ankle injury.
He also left training camp practice early this week and did not play in Las Vegas’ preseason game against the Houston Texans. If those absences point to a health issue that threatens his availability for the start of the season, the idea stops right there for Washington.
If it’s just caution, the conversation changes.
That matters because the Commanders cannot afford for center to become a soft spot. They’re already set to be without five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil for most, if not all, of the 2026 campaign because of a torn triceps. More instability up front would carry serious consequences.
Peters has not exactly built a reputation for standing still, so if he decides the current setup isn’t good enough, he’ll likely push for a change. The way Washington has handled center this offseason has already drawn skeptical looks, and a healthy Powers-Johnson would at least offer an intriguing option.
He was an award-winning center in college. If he can stay on the field, he could be a real addition. Whether the Commanders decide to seriously pursue it is another question entirely.
In Other News...
Commanders Could Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision
The cornerback market is starting to feel a little more interesting, and Washington is right in the middle of it. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams are keeping an eye on whether the Steelers might be open to moving Joey Porter Jr., a Pro Bowl-caliber defender who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Pittsburghs cap situation has made the possibility at least worth monitoring, and any conversation would almost certainly begin with the kind of compensation that usually comes with a premium young corner.
For the Commanders, the appeal is obvious. Cornerback remains a need, and injuries have only sharpened the urgency of finding more reliable help on the back end. Porter would fit the profile of a player worth pursuing, but he would also come with a price tag that could force Washington to weigh immediate help against the cost of paying to get it. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels May Finally Have The Support Washington Needed
The Commanders spent the offseason reshaping the help around Jayden Daniels, and the changes start with the staff. Kliff Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator, replaced by David Blough, who was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the move is being framed as a chance to better tailor the offense to Daniels strengths. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Blough is expected to help Daniels maximize his abilities, particularly by leaning into the quarterbacks football IQ and his command at the line.
Washington has also tried to fortify the supporting cast, with free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs stepping into a leadership role alongside Terry McLaurin. Even with those additions, the bigger question still hangs over the offense: whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the unit can hold up after losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those are the kinds of variables that can decide whether all this support actually turns into progress. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]