Sam Cosmi isn’t backing away from the noise around Washington’s offensive line. He’s leaning into it.
With the 2026 Commanders facing major questions up front, Cosmi said Tuesday that he wants to prove people wrong this season and likes what Washington is assembling on the line. The uncertainty has only grown after left tackle Laremy Tunsil’s triceps injury pushed Brandon Coleman back to tackle, while Nick Allegretti has just returned to practice as the team’s projected starting center. Allegretti has made only two starts at that spot in seven NFL seasons.
“I could go down the line,” Cosmi told Donna Hopkins. “I’m excited for BC’s opportunity again to play at left tackle.
I mean, I think he has all the measurables and athleticism to be very successful at that position. And then Chris Paul is a monster.
I know a lot of people - he’s an under-the-radar type thing. And, like, Nikki’s very smart, very athletic.
And then you have Josh, who’s coming into year two and who’s showing a big improvement in knowledge and technique. So, I’m excited about our whole o-line.”
Cosmi’s upbeat view comes after head coach Dan Quinn said the run game is “not where the staff wants it.” For Washington, the issue isn’t whether there are questions.
There are. The real test is whether the line can sort itself out without Tunsil and turn those doubts into something sturdier before the season starts.
Cosmi stands as one of the most established pieces on the front, and the Commanders will need that kind of presence while the rest of the group settles in. The next two preseason games and the remaining camp practices should give the team a chance to build continuity with Coleman outside, Allegretti at center, and the rest of the line trying to come together.
Further down the roster, a player fighting for his place made a timely statement at practice. Butler finished Tuesday’s session with a one-handed interception of rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, his first pick of camp. It gave the defense a clean finish to the day and gave Butler another moment to help his case.
Butler has already carved out value on special teams, but he’s still trying to show he can offer more than that. With multiple safeties battling for limited roster spots, splash plays matter. One interception won’t rewrite the staff’s view of him, but it does make him a little harder to dismiss.
His window is shrinking, though. With two preseason games and a handful of practices left, Butler still has time to show the coaches what he can bring.
In Other News...
Commanders May Have Found A Bigger Role For Tyler Owens
Tyler Owens has spent most of his time in Washington making his mark on special teams, but training camp is giving the third-year defensive back a different kind of opportunity. With new defensive play-caller Daronte Jones looking for more versatility, Owens has been tried in a range of spots, including safety, big nickel and even edge rusher, a sign the Commanders are trying to see where his skill set can fit beyond his usual role.
The timing matters, too, with Owens in a contract year and looking to show he can do more than cover kicks and punts. Camp observers have already pointed to his work in blitz packages as a bright spot, and if Jones keeps finding ways to use that burst and flexibility, Owens could be headed for a meaningful bump in defensive snaps this season. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Injury Pileup Is Creating Real Early Roster Uncertainty
The Commanders already busy injury report grew again after joint practice with Miami, where Rachaad White was added to the list with a hamstring injury. It is the kind of August development that can quickly change the shape of a roster, especially for a team still sorting out depth and roles while trying to get through the preseason healthy.
Coach Quinn also offered a mixed update on several other names, saying Trey Amos is moving in the right direction but still not ready to play and that Nick Allegretti had a minor setback after returning to practice. Johnny Newton, meanwhile, has already undergone successful surgery and will be out for a significant stretch, leaving Washington with 15 players dealing with injuries or on PUP/IR as it heads toward its second preseason game against Detroit. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Make An Early Kicker Call With Pressure On Drew Stevens
The Commanders have already made an early move at kicker, parting ways with Jake Moody and handing the job to undrafted rookie Drew Stevens after a training camp and preseason showing that earned the staff's attention. Head coach Dan Quinn said Stevens had been steady and accurate, and that kind of consistency carried real weight in a battle where every practice rep and preseason kick gets judged a little more harshly than usual.
Stevens said he was surprised by how quickly the decision came together, but he also understood the organizations choice to settle the spot before the competition dragged on. For Washington, the timing matters because special teams decisions can shape the rest of August, and the pressure now shifts to Stevens to keep proving the call was the right one. [Read more 🡒]