The Washington Commanders have run into a problem at center, and it’s one they helped create.
Nick Allegretti, who was expected to start there, had already been working back from a calf strain he suffered on the first training camp practice. Then came another setback: ESPN insider John Keim reported that Allegretti was once again forced to leave practice early on Day 13 of camp.
No additional details were offered, and head coach Dan Quinn may have more to say soon. For now, the concern is obvious.
Washington needs a clean answer here, and it doesn’t have one.
Behind Allegretti, the depth chart is thin. Julian Good-Jones has not impressed this offseason, making him a risky fallback.
Rookie Matt Gulbin, a sixth-round pick, has been developing, but he may be better suited to guard. Beyond that, there isn’t much to lean on.
Brandon Coleman has taken snaps at center, but he’s no longer an option there after the torn triceps injury to five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil left him needed on the blindside.
That’s why Allegretti’s summer matters so much. He needed the reps at center more than anybody on the line, especially after failing to meet expectations at either guard spot over his first two seasons in Washington. He’s also inexperienced at center, which makes every missed practice even more costly.
If this latest issue is another calf setback, his Week 1 status could be in question. That would be a major concern with the Philadelphia Eagles and their defensive line duo of Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter looming in the opener.
The bigger issue is that Washington built this mess itself.
General manager Adam Peters moved on from veteran Tyler Biadasz this offseason without urgency to replace him, trusting Allegretti enough to give him a contract extension in advance. What the Commanders did not do was reinforce the depth behind him, and that decision is now under the microscope.
There’s still a chance to address it. Washington will likely look at the waiver wire after final cuts, and a trade is also possible, even if productive interior linemen are rarely available unless the price is right. But the clock is ticking, and the Commanders already have enough to worry about with Tunsil potentially out for the entire 2026 season.
If Allegretti is also unstable, the whole front can start to wobble fast.
The medical staff will handle his recovery carefully, and getting him ready for the regular-season opener remains the goal. Still, losing more practice time now could leave a mark later, when it matters most.
For Washington, the hope is simple: that this is only a temporary setback. If it isn’t, the Commanders may have to consider every option available.
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 🡒]