The Washington Commanders just made a move that feels both necessary and absolutely wild: they signed offensive tackle D.J. Humphries to a one-year deal. Multiple reports dropped the news today, August 25, 2026, confirming the deal after Humphries worked out for the team earlier in the day. This isn’t just some standard roster shuffle; the team was in desperate need of help at the tackle position, especially with starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil sidelined by a torn triceps. You cannot lose your starting left tackle right before the season kicks off and not feel the heat, right? The Commanders clearly felt it, because this signing has all the hallmarks of a rapid-response solution.
Tunsil’s Absence Puts Washington In a Corner
When Laremy Tunsil went down with a torn triceps, it blew a massive hole in the Commanders’ offensive line plans. That kind of injury to a starting left tackle, especially this close to the regular season, is a nightmare scenario for any NFL team. It forces your hand, demanding an immediate fix, and Washington clearly decided they couldn’t wait. Enter D.J. Humphries. He came in for a workout, and by all accounts, the team liked what they saw enough to ink him to a short-term contract. It tells you everything about the urgency in the building right now. They needed a body, and they needed one fast.
Humphries’ Career Path: From First-Rounder to Prove-It Deal
Humphries brings a fascinating mix of experience and recent question marks to the Commanders’ lineup. He is 32 years old, which isn’t ancient for an offensive lineman, but it’s definitely not a fresh face either. This dude was a first-round draft pick back in 2015 by the Cardinals, so he has the pedigree. He’s also started a whopping 101 career games. That’s a ton of snaps, a ton of blocking, a ton of battles in the trenches.
But here’s where it gets interesting: his recent play has been pretty limited. Last season, he appeared in only eight games for the Rams, with just one start. Before that, in 2024, he made only two starts for the Chiefs. So while the career starts number is huge, the last two seasons have seen him on the field in a starting role very sparingly. A one-year deal for a guy with 101 career starts, coming off a season with just one start? That’s a massive “prove it” moment, and it shows both the Commanders’ need and Humphries’ desire to get back on the field.
The Commanders are clearly hoping Humphries can recapture some of that first-round form and bring some much-needed stability to a line that just took a huge hit. With the regular season right around the corner on August 25th, every snap is going to matter. This one-year gamble on Humphries is a high-stakes play to protect their quarterback and keep their season aspirations alive. It is going to be fascinating to watch what he does with this chance.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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