D.J. Humphries released by the Commanders on Friday, just two days before Washington’s season opener against Philadelphia. The timing wasn’t a coincidence \u2014 his entire season salary would have become guaranteed had he stayed on the roster through Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Humphries signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with Washington in late August<\/a>, arriving as depth insurance after Laremy Tunsil’s torn triceps<\/a> forced the team to reshuffle its offensive line. Brandon Coleman had already been installed as the starting left tackle by the time Humphries joined, and the veteran never carved out a bigger role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He appeared in Washington’s joint practice against Baltimore and the preseason finale that followed, but that was the extent of his time in burgundy and gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a vested veteran with more than four accrued NFL seasons, Humphries’ full salary would have converted to fully guaranteed money the moment he made Washington’s Week 1 roster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cutting him before Sunday let the team avoid that obligation entirely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington now carries just three tackles<\/a> on its 53-man roster: Coleman, right tackle Josh Conerly Jr., and swing tackle Andrew Wylie. Trent Scott and Esa Pole remain the only other options, both on the practice squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The move signals real confidence in Coleman’s ability to hold down the blind side without a direct backup pushing him. Commanders reporter JP Finlay captured the general reaction online. “This is interesting,” he wrote. “I’m curious what the corresponding move will be.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Humphries, 32, was a first-round pick out of Florida in 2015. The big tackle spent most of his career as a fixture on Arizona’s offensive line. He made a Pro Bowl and signed two separate lucrative extensions before a torn ACL late in 2023. He’s played sparingly since, with brief stints in Kansas City and Los Angeles before this short-lived run in Washington. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No corresponding roster move was announced, leaving Washington with an open spot heading into the opener. Only 48 players of the 53-Man roster<\/a> can dress on game day regardless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edit: John Keim tweeted later in the afternoon that Julian Good-Jones had been called to the active roster in lieu of Humphries departure. It’s doubtful that he would even be one of the 48 on the active roster tomorrow. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Guarantee That Forced the Move<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What It Means for the Tackle Depth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Long Career Winding Down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Slot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n