The Commanders’ left tackle situation went from shaky to downright precarious in a hurry.
Washington had already been forced to reshuffle after five-time Pro Bowl blindside protector Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps that could wipe out his season. Now, on the eve of the team’s long-awaited opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, the plan has changed again: D.J. Humphries has been released, ending an extremely short stay with the franchise.
Humphries arrived just before final cuts because the Commanders weren’t satisfied with their backup tackle options. A few days later, he’s gone, and Washington made no corresponding roster move.
That leaves Brandon Coleman as the starter on the blindside. The 2024 third-round pick has played left tackle before, including as a rookie, and held up reasonably well despite the usual first-year bumps. Behind him, the depth chart gets thin fast.
Andrew Wylie could be asked to handle left tackle if necessary, even though most of his work has come on the right side and he looked vulnerable out there. Chris Paul has experience at left tackle from his college days at Tulsa, but he’s projected to play inside. Beyond that, the options basically dry up.
Trent Scott is on the practice squad and could be elevated for the Week 1 trip to Lincoln Financial Field, but that’s hardly the kind of arrangement a team wants to lean on for a full season.
Tunsil’s injury already changed the complexion of Washington’s year, and the Humphries release only sharpens the pressure on Coleman. If he struggles, the Commanders are exposed.
The good news for Washington is that general manager Adam Peters still has a roster spot available, which suggests another move could be coming soon. Fans should expect something over the weekend or early next week. The Commanders can’t afford to leave Daniels’ protection hanging like this.
That concern was already there before Tunsil went down. The center gamble could go either way, Paul still has questions to answer at left guard, and Josh Conerly Jr. and Sam Cosmi should be solid on the right. But that alone isn’t enough.
Washington took a look at Humphries and it didn’t stick. Now the Commanders need a better contingency plan, because rolling into the season with this much uncertainty at left tackle is asking for trouble.
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