Tunsil, Lattimore return for Commanders mandatory minicamp

Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin didn’t take the field for the Commanders on Tuesday, but offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore practiced with teammates for the first time this offseason.

Tunsil and Lattimore — like McLaurin — skipped the voluntary practices that began last month. Neither player provided a reason for their absence, but kept a similar routine with their previous teams. 

Tuesday marked their first time working with new teammates in 11-on-11 drills at mandatory minicamp. 

The practices are still contactless, but teammates said the returning veterans are earning their reputation. 

“Basically everything,” second-year lineman Brandon Coleman said of what he can learn from Tunsil. “He’s a guy I watched in college to work on my tackle technique. Now being able to learn how to pin combos as a guard.”

The addition of Tunsil, who the Commanders traded for this spring, forced Coleman inside to guard. The selection of offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. with the first-round pick solidified the move. 

Coleman said he’s unbothered by the move. He’s just glad to line up next to a perennial Pro Bowler. Commanders coach Dan Quinn has said the offensive line is open competition, mostly. Tunsil’s spot at left tackle is already secured. 

“I was trying to, like, pick his brain when we’re walking on the field, when we’re in the walkthrough,” Coleman said. “I’ll be picking his brain all year, trying to get better from him.”

Tunsil didn’t appear hampered by injuries, but he wasn’t a full participant in Tuesday’s practice. He stood with his offensive line teammates between drills, sharing techniques about where to place hands and how to chop feet. 

But the future blind-side protector of star quarterback Jayden Daniels didn’t take first-team repetitions during the 11-on-11 drills. Instead, fellow tackle Andrew Wylie anchored the left side of the line.

Lattimore took the field, though. Now wearing No. 2, the 29-year-old moved well as he shadowed Washington’s receivers. Lattimore was hampered by a hamstring injury last year after joining the Commanders in a midseason trade. 

The cornerback’s first offseason with the Commanders is a key one, according to coach Dan Quinn.

“When you’re traded in-season, it’s already intense and so it’s in a different atmosphere,” he said. “Now, you get to have some good conversations.”

Lattimore didn’t produce any highlights during his limited playing time last season. Most analysts believe the combination of a nagging hamstring and a new defensive system kept him from reaching the Pro Bowl form he maintained with the New Orleans Saints. 

For now, the Commanders will ease their top defensive back into practice. 

“It’s a little bit customized: who will do what,” he said, referring to both Lattimore and Tunsil. “How much we get from them will depend on the day, what we want to feature, where we’re at.”

The Commanders continue their on-field work on Wednesday and Thursday before a five-week break. In late July, they’ll reconvene for minicamp as they rev up for the upcoming season.