Commanders O-Line Collapses in Ravens Joint Practice, Raising Alarm for Daniels

Key points

• The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala described the Commanders' offensive line as 'inoperable' during a joint practice with the Ravens.
• Commanders beat writers called the performance the worst they have seen in years, noting Baltimore dominated the session.
• Left tackle Laremy Tunsil is out for the season with a tricep injury, forcing the team to sign free agent DJ Humphries.
• The blocking issues threaten the success of Jayden Daniels' new offense, which emphasizes under-center snaps and play-action.
• Washington ranked 18th in pass blocking and 21st in run blocking win rate in the 2025 season.

Background

The Commanders underwent significant offensive changes this offseason, hiring David Blough as offensive coordinator and shifting Jayden Daniels from a shotgun-heavy system to one that utilizes more under-center snaps and play-action. Last season, Washington's offense struggled with injuries and poor blocking, ranking 16th in EPA per play. The team also lost key receivers and added Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams to bolster the passing game. Previous joint practices against the Dolphins showed mixed results, with Daniels facing pressure but the team generally evaluating depth. The current collapse against Baltimore highlights the urgency of fixing the line before the regular season.

How outlets are covering it

The Athletic and NBC Sports emphasize the severity of the offensive line's failure, using strong language like 'inoperable' and 'worst in years' to describe the performance. They link this directly to the absence of Laremy Tunsil and the need for immediate improvement to protect Jayden Daniels. The Falcons sources, while not directly related to the Commanders, provide context on how other teams are evaluating their quarterbacks and lines during joint practices, highlighting the importance of these sessions in assessing readiness. The Falcoholic notes that practice conditions, such as lack of pads, can affect performance, but the Commanders' issues appear to be fundamental rather than situational. There is no disagreement on the facts, but the emphasis is on the urgency of the problem for Washington.

Why it matters

The offensive line's performance is critical for the Commanders' success, as it directly impacts Jayden Daniels' ability to throw and run. Poor blocking can lead to sacks, penalties, and reduced offensive efficiency, which could undermine the team's new offensive scheme. If the line does not improve, it could affect the fantasy value of Daniels and other offensive players, as well as the team's overall competitiveness in the NFC East. The loss of Laremy Tunsil for the season makes this an even more pressing issue, as the team must rely on new signings and existing players to fill the gap.

What to watch

The Commanders will continue to evaluate their offensive line in upcoming practices and preseason games. The team may need to make further adjustments to the line or consider additional signings if the issues persist. The regular season is approaching, and the team will need to ensure that the line is ready to protect Daniels and support the new offensive scheme. The performance in the final preseason game against the Dolphins will be a key indicator of whether the team has addressed the blocking issues.