Blind side protector of Jayden Daniels could miss large part of season after suffering a torn triceps plus other takeaways from Week 2 of training camp.
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This was an eventful week for the Washington Commanders.
The addition of wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Friday brought some good vibes to training camp, but that was quickly overshadowed by brutal injury news Saturday.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn left triceps during a one-on-one drill, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the injury had not been announced. While an exact timeline won’t be known until after surgery, Tunsil is expected to miss multiple months.
When he got injured, Tunsil immediately dropped to one knee, and the training staff attended to him. He initially went into the medical tent with the training staff, but, after evaluating him, the staff walked him into the facility.
An MRI exam later revealed the nature of Tunsil’s injury. He played at an elite level last season and was rewarded a massive two-year, $60.2 million extension with the Commanders this offseason. Now, Washington could have to go without him for most — if not all — of the 2026 season.
Andrew Wylie played left tackle in Tunsil’s place with the first-team offense. Another option could be Brandon Coleman, who played guard last season but has played left tackle in the past.
On the positive end, defensive end Dorance Armstrong and cornerback Trey Amos were activated from the physically unable to perform list while punter Tress Way was activated from the nonfootball injury list Friday. Amos, however, left practice early Saturday due to an undisclosed injury. Center Nick Allegretti (calf), tight end John Bates (hamstring), defensive end Drake Jackson (illness) and defensive end Deatrich Wise (quad) also remain out.
Here are five other takeaways from Week 2 of Commanders camp:
1. Jayden Daniels now has the best pass-catching group of his career
Since drafting Daniels in 2024, the Commanders just haven’t had a trio that compares with the current group of wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Diggs and tight end Chig Okonkwo. Both in terms of talent and versatility, this is the top unit Daniels has had. It will be helpful as he works to get back on track after a disappointing second season.
“With young quarterbacks, they’ve got a lot on their plate, so making plays for them will give them confidence,” Diggs said Friday. “That puts a battery in their back to feel like, ‘Man, I could do anything out here.’ … Jayden has proved that he’s a superstar. It’s just carrying on and continuing to work toward being on that MVP type of time.”
McLaurin and Diggs can both line up at “X” and “Z” receiver and in the slot. Okonkwo can play in-line tight end, split out wide as a receiver and even in the backfield as an H-back.
The Commanders will still need young wide receivers such as Antonio Williams, Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane to help round out the group, but the offense’s arsenal of weapons has been substantially upgraded.
2. Frankie Luvu is stepping up as the vocal leader of the defense
With the departure of Bobby Wagner, a constant question has been who will wear the green dot and handle communication on defense. That’s yet to be decided, but Luvu seems to be leading that race.
“Frankie, for sure,” defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw said Tuesday when asked to name the voice of the defense. “Frankie is getting everybody set, man.”
Coach Dan Quinn has seen what he’s looking for from Luvu in that role.
“You’re looking for urgency, you know?” Quinn said Wednesday. “Like, not a lot of words, but ‘Boom, this is what we need to do.’ … He’s clear, he’s sharp, he doesn’t mince on the words. So those, to me, are the things in those moments that you want. After a play, a correction, getting guys lined up, having an overall feel of the package. He and the safeties, I thought, are gaining just like, a stronger voice. And I’m looking forward to seeing that continue.”
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Luvu had a down year in 2025, and part of the issue was he often had to play out of position. Because of injuries at defensive end, he spent more time lined up as an edge rusher. Although he’s an effective blitzer, that’s not the best utilization of his skills. With the beefed-up defensive front, Luvu has been freed up to play more snaps at inside linebacker.
“I love his athleticism,” defensive coordinator Daronte Jones said in February. “He’s best when he can go downhill, use his athleticism to win on edges, use his speed.”
3. There’s some added depth at center
Allegretti has missed over a week of practice with a calf strain, and it’s unclear when he will return. Julian Good-Jones has handled most of the starting snaps at center in his place.
Good-Jones has been in the building for years, but most of his time has been spent on the practice squad. He has played just one game in his career.
Allegretti should be back soon, but the Commanders added some more veteran help Saturday when they signed offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill. He has spent far more time at center and has started 71 career games. Quinn said Allegretti — and Bates — will be reevaluated next week.
“It’ll probably be another week or so,” Quinn said Saturday. “I’ll have a better sense of it as we get into Wednesday and Thursday. They’re getting closer, but not today. [They shouldn’t be out] long term, either.”
4. Jeremy Reaves is trending toward a role as a starter
Reaves was known as a special teams ace coming into last season, but he wound up playing the most significant defensive snaps of his career. With Will Harris missing significant time and Quan Martin getting benched, Reaves made eight starts and played 62 percent of the defensive snaps. He set career highs with 91 tackles and seven pass deflections.
“His communication skills are elite as a ballplayer, as a teammate, on the field and off,” Quinn said. “He sets incredible standards for effort and speed. And so, we could use a hell of a lot more of Jeremy Reaves, you know?”
Through training camp, Reaves has maintained a hold on a starting role alongside newcomer Nick Cross. Martin has started to work in with the first-team defense at nickelback and safety, so it’s not a done deal, but Reaves looks to remain a fixture in the defensive game plan.
5. The cornerback room is coming into form
Amos slid back into the starting lineup as an outside cornerback, while Amik Robertson started on the opposite side of the defense. Mike Sainristil and Rasul Douglas rotated in with the starting lineup as well, but they got far fewer snaps with Amos back in action.
Sainristil and Martin rotated at nickelback. Sainristil had taken most of the snaps as the slot defender through the first six practices of training camp, but Martin began to work more there Friday and Saturday. Occasionally, fellow safety Cross has played nickel as well.
At that spot, multiple players probably will take significant snaps, as Jones likes to use both three-cornerback and three-safety formations. It’s another added layer to his multiple defense.
“I like me a thousand times out of a thousand vs. a slot receiver in the box in the run game,” Cross said Wednesday when asked about the benefits of inserting a safety at nickelback. “In the pass game, I’m getting my hands on them and rerouting them and whatnot. … It brings an extra, bigger body with more athleticism. [It’s good to] run against two tight ends, three tight ends, 21 personnel. You keep the athleticism, but keep the physicality as well.”
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