Commanders Agree to One-Year Deal With Veteran Offensive Tackle D.J. Humphries

The Washington Commanders have agreed to sign veteran offensive tackle D.J. Humphries to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network as relayed by Pro Football Rumors on Aug. 25, 2026. The move comes as the Commanders worked to stabilize their offensive line after a recent injury hit elsewhere on the unit.

Pro Football Rumors framed the signing in the wake of the team losing Laremy Tunsil to a triceps tear. While Tunsil’s absence is the immediate roster context for Washington’s follow-up move, Humphries is being brought in for the more general purpose of experienced reinforcement up front. Offensive tackle is a position where teams often value continuity, protection skills, and the ability to handle both pass sets and run blocking responsibilities across an NFL season.

Humphries’ addition also underscores how quickly the NFL preseason can shift. A two-plus week gap after a significant injury is a sign that Washington has continued building its depth plan rather than waiting for the next wave of availability. In practical terms, adding a veteran tackle during August gives a team more options for how it aligns starters, next-in-line players, and in-game adjustments as the regular-season opener approaches.

The Commanders’ decision fits the typical franchise pattern for addressing offensive line volatility. NFL teams commonly look to proven linemen who have already navigated NFL game speed, scheme variations, and the weekly wear-and-tear that can expose inexperienced depth. Even without speculation about who will start, bringing in a veteran tackle can reduce the risk of a rushed answer if preseason reps are not enough to develop a longer-term solution.

From a role standpoint, the reported one-year term suggests Washington is seeking near-term help while keeping flexibility for future roster work. One-year deals in the trench positions are often structured to provide immediate stabilization, with the understanding that the team may evaluate younger options once it gains a clearer picture of how the unit functions under live regular-season conditions.

For Humphries, this is an opportunity to re-establish his place as a functional piece of a team’s protection group. For the Commanders, the signing invites a key question for the final weeks of camp: how the coaching staff will distribute reps and what it indicates about the depth chart at tackle. If Humphries is expected to compete for meaningful playing time, Washington’s performance at left and right tackle could quickly become a barometer for how confident the organization feels about its offensive line floor heading into September.

At the same time, this item remains a report of agreement rather than a fully documented official transaction. As always, roster confirmations, the exact contract details, and Humphries’ active status will be matters to watch as Washington finalizes its roster process leading into the regular season. Until official team confirmation is available, the timing and role should be treated as provisional. The next practical checkpoint is whether Humphries is integrated into starting work, rotational snaps, or emergency depth preparation as preseason wrap-up continues.