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Commanders Fix Glaring Weakness With Latest Signing
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- Commanders Fix Glaring Weakness With Latest Signing
The Washington Commanders suffered a devastating blow three weeks ago when All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil was seen favoring his left arm, clearly in pain, after a one-on-one rep during practice.
It was later revealed that Tunsil had torn his triceps, an injury that will certainly cause him to miss the majority of the regular season. The team confirmed that Tunsil would need surgery on his left triceps, a procedure that usually takes between four and seven months to heal.
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The team immediately elevated former third-round pick Brandon Coleman to replace Tunsil.
Coleman was drafted out of TCU in 2024 with the idea of being the long-term solution as the blind side protector for franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels .
While Coleman had his ups and downs as a rookie, he started 15 games for the team and showed improvement throughout. But when the team had the opportunity to trade for a certified top-5 player at his position in Tunsil, Coleman became a depth piece for the team.
But even if the team is comfortable with Coleman starting at left tackle (he has 18 career starts at the position, including three last season), losing his depth hurts, so this week the team addressed that issue by signing a former Pro Bowler to replenish that depth along the offensive line.
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Commanders sign DJ Humphries
The Arizona Cardinals drafted DJ Humphries in 2015. The 32-year-old spent eight seasons with the Cardinals, including a 2021 Pro Bowl selection. He started 98 of the 101 games he played with the Cards, and now, the Washington Commanders have signed him to a one-year deal.
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While Humphries had a good career with the Cardinals, he has not been a full-time starter since 2023 after he tore his ACL in Week 17. Since then, he has bounced around, spending time with the Kansas City Chiefs before eventually signing with the Los Angeles Rams last year.
Humphries spent most of the season on the bench, with Yahoo Sports reporting that he was a "healthy scratch" for most of the year before he started the team's Week 17 game. He allowed five pressures, four hurries, and one sack in 84 snaps across eight games last season.
What do the Commanders have in Brandon Coleman?
The Commanders drafted third-year pro Brandon Coleman in the third round with the intention of turning him into their long-term starter. It hasn't worked out like that for the former TCU Horned Frog , as Coleman came into camp this year battling for the starting left guard position.
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But Coleman has the size and the pedigree to play the position. He has started 18 games at LT in his pro career, but only started there three times last season after the team traded for Tunsil.
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"When these tough scenarios come up, it does provide some opportunities," head coach Dan Quinn said shortly after Tunsil's injury. "Brandon Coleman… has played a lot of winning football at left tackle here and we know that he's ready for it. He has put in an excellent offseason, and the team is very confident in him."
He called Coleman's athleticism one of his key attributes.
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Quinn was asked on Wednesday, August 26, whether signing Humphrey changed anything about the team's plans for Coleman. Quinn reportedly replied, "No."
Related: Former Ohio State Buckeyes Stars Wrongly On Hot Seat for Giants, Commanders
This story was originally published by Lindys Sports on Aug 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
