Lucas Niang's ACL tear ends his season with Washington after joining in July, leaving the Commanders with notable depth questions at tackle just as a major upgrade arrives. Washington traded for Laremy Tunsil, a five-time Pro Bowler, and grabbed Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round to fortify the edge. Niang had impressed in a short window, but the injury forces a quick recalibration behind Tunsil and Conerly. New guard depth and veteran options like Andrew Wylie, Trent Scott, and Bobby Hart are now more critical as Washington braces for the early season.

With Niang out, the Tunsil‑Conerly dynamic anchors an upgraded left side, while Wylie’s versatility provides immediate reliability. The team must balance rookie development with roster depth, as preseason setbacks against New England highlighted the thin margin behind the starters. Fantasy angles hinge on Howell’s protection, the run game’s efficiency, and how quickly Conerly can adapt to the NFL’s speed, given the new, deeper tackle room.