It’s been a difficult start for Washington Commanders rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Through two weeks, Conerly has faced the New York Giants and Brian Burns, followed by Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers.
Next up for the first-round pick from Oregon: Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.
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That’s quite the gauntlet for a rookie offensive tackle. Conerly had some positive moments in Week 1 against the Giants. While he lost some battles, he also displayed his potential as a pass protector. Against Green Bay, Conerly had a game he’d soon like to forget.
Conerly has two NFL games under his belt. And he’s also playing a new position, while going up against some of the most elite defenders in the NFL. Fortunately for the rookie tackle, he has five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to lean on.
“It’s too much to really speak on, in my opinion,” Conerly said about the extra time before and after practice that Tunsil has spent with him.
“Whether it’s off the field, on the field, I feel like the little work that we do pre-practice is something that has helped me out a lot. Just understanding my set, and continuing to get better at it, and get comfortable in it, because it isn’t something that’s been comfortable. But over the last couple of weeks, it’s gotten there, to the point where it feels good in the game.”
Tunsil has been as advertised through two weeks for the Commanders and he’s brought something to Washington that many didn’t expect: veteran leadership. There were rumors that Houston traded Tunsil because it wanted to see more leadership from him. How’s that one working out for the Texans?
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Tunsil remains a blue-chip player at a premium position. The Commanders believe in Conerly and hope that with Tunsil’s guidance, he can also reach that next level.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly leaning on Laremy Tunsil