On July 29, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn placed RG Nate Herbig on the reserve/retired list, effectively ending a five-year career defined by grit and reliability. Jayden Daniels was left blindsided. But that same day, the head coach started his search for another protector. It didn’t take him long to sign Lucas Niang, the first French player to play and win the Super Bowl (with the Chiefs in 2023). The coach had finally solved the crisis. Until it hit right back in the face.

On August 8, the Commanders played their first preseason game against the Patriots and lost 18-48. And during the game, Lucas Niang tore his ACL. Dan Quinn was said while announcing the news on August 10. He said, “He had done a really nice job for us in a short time. Really bummed for him.” You could tell he was gutted that Niang was out for the entire season.

But what makes everything even more serious (with a pun)? He has been here for only 11 days after signing up on July 30th. Niang practiced with Andrew Wylie and Nick Allegretti during the training camp. And they struck a chord together. In just 11 days, the Super Bowl winner became used to the offense. At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, he was already a frontrunner for a spot in the 53-man roster.

Just after the first training camp, Jiang showed praise for the system Dan Quinn has in place. He said, “It was dope, man. I like the facility, like the guys so far. They seem to take care of their players here. Everything’s definitely been good. I’m ready to get rollin’.” That was a positive sign.

Now? The Commanders are waiting on their guard, Sam Cosmi, who tore his ACL during last season’s playoff win against the Detroit Lions. While Dan Quinn has reiterated that the guard will return before their season opener against the NY Giants on September 8th. But there’s no solid confirmation yet.

It starts a fresh set of problems for the coach. He is already dealing with a crucial issue, the core that runs the team.

Dan Quinn is dealing with a QB situation

Sam Hartman was supposed to be the ‘in case of emergency, break glass’ option. Instead, Friday night in Foxborough felt more like someone handed him the keys to a rental car, and he spent the whole drive figuring out where the windshield wipers were. It told Dan Quinn he doesn’t have the QB3 he wants.

Hartman’s 9 of 19 passes for 64 yards with a touchdown and an interception weren’t impressive. Part Michael Gallup slipping on his break, part Hartman deciding to let it fly anyway. Stat sheets don’t record happy feet, but his never stopped chopping. They also don’t list the swing pass into K.J. Osborn’s shoelaces and short route to Jaylin Lane that missed like he was playing catch with the mascot. But the crowd’s groan told you everything.

Then again, preseason is a dangerous drug for optimism. All it takes is one series. Washington went no-huddle. Hartman hit 3 straight throws, dropped a gorgeous layer ball over a linebacker to Gallup for 26 yards, and uncorked a perfect corner shot to Osborn that would’ve been on every highlight reel if it had just stuck. For about 90 seconds, you could see it, the spark, the rhythm, the ‘maybe this works’ version of the story.

But snap back to reality. Jayden Daniels is the starter for the season. Marcus Mariota is already limping into September. Which means if either one goes down, Dan Quinn will hang on Hartman’s arm like it’s a glass ornament in a room full of toddlers. The entire plan can be ruined with just one wrong step. And right now, Washington’s margin for error at quarterback isn’t just thin, it’s practically imaginary.