Key facts
- Commanders sign D.J. Humphries, 32, to a one-year deal
- Tunsil suffered torn triceps during practice on Aug. 8; expected to miss most or all of 2026 season
- Humphries had 8 games with Rams in 2025, 2 games with Chiefs in 2024; 101 career starts
- Brandon Coleman will start at left tackle with Tunsil out, per coach Dan Quinn
- Tunsil recently signed two-year, $60.2M extension averaging $30M annually
The move
The Washington Commanders signed offensive tackle D.J. Humphries to a one-year contract. Humphries, 32, worked out for the team before signing. The signing addresses depth concerns on the offensive line after starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps.
Tunsil’s injury and its timeline
Tunsil tore his triceps during practice on August 8 while attempting to block a bull rush from edge rusher Odafe Oweh. He underwent surgery for the injury and is expected to miss most or potentially all of the 2026 season. The injury came shortly after the Commanders made Tunsil the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL with a two-year, $60.2 million extension that averaged $30 million annually—the first left tackle deal to reach that threshold and the second time in his career he reset the position’s market.
Humphries’ recent history
Humphries was a first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2015 and is a former Pro Bowl selection. However, he has declined significantly over the past four years. He appeared in eight games for the Los Angeles Rams last season with one start and made two starts for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. He enters the 2026 season having appeared in more than eight games just once in the four years since his Pro Bowl selection. Overall, he carries 101 career starts. This marks his fourth team in four years.
His role with the Commanders
Humphries joins Washington as a depth piece rather than a viable starter. Coach Dan Quinn announced that Brandon Coleman will serve as the starting left tackle during Tunsil’s absence. Josh Conerly Jr. is locked in as the No. 2 option at right tackle. Humphries will provide experience in the locker room and compete with second-teamer Andrew Wylie for the backup role. The Commanders had initially indicated they would not seek outside help following Tunsil’s injury but changed course with the Humphries signing.
Sources
- CBS Sports
- Yahoo Sports — Commanders free agency: Washington reportedly adds former Pro Bowl OT · Commanders sign OT D.J. Humphries to a one-year deal
- NBC Sports
Featured photo: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)