Commanders release veteran OT D.J. Humphries

The Commanders released veteran offensive tackle D.J. Humphries on Friday, cutting ties with a lineman they had signed only about two weeks earlier.

Washington announced the move Friday, and it comes with a clear financial logic. Humphries' salary for the entire season would have become guaranteed had he remained on the roster for the Week 1 game against the Eagles, so releasing him now preserves flexibility. Per Pro Football Talk, the Commanders could look to bring him back at a later date, and in the meantime he is free to sign with any team.

The 32-year-old joined Washington on Aug. 26 and arrived as a possible piece of the plan to replace left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who tore his triceps during the summer. Brandon Coleman had already been installed in Tunsil's spot on the offensive line, leaving Humphries as an experienced fallback rather than a projected starter.

That the Commanders were willing to move on before the opener says something about how they view the depth they have assembled up front.