A regular with the Commanders for the past two seasons, Tyler Larsen will only be able to continue his time with the team via the practice squad. The veteran center is being released, reports Ben Standig of The Athletic. 
Standig notes that Larsen is a candidate to be brought back, and his missed game time due to injuries should limit the interest shown by other teams. The 32-year-old has been held to 18 appearances across his two seasons in Washington, but he has made 11 starts in that span. Even a temporary absence would thus be felt along the Commanders’ new-look offensive line.
The center position was brought into doubt with Chase Roullier dealing with multiple injuries over recent years. He was released as a result, and has since retired. His absence left a notable vacancy for a starting position up front, something Larsen filled to close out the 2022 campaign. Washington used both free agency and the draft to acquire new options in the middle, however.
Nick Gates is in line to serve as a first-teamer after signing a three-year, $16.5MM deal in March. The ex-Giant has experience at guard, but he served as New York’s starter at center in the 2020 season, one where he logged a 100% snap share. The Commanders added competition for Gates in the form of third-rounder Ricky Stromberg. With Larsen out of the picture (at least for now), that pair will work at the pivot to start the season.
Larsen was set to play on the veteran’s minimum this season, making his contract an easy one to move on from for Washington. The Commanders will save $940K via his release, while incurring just $153K in dead money. The two parties may not have to wait long to reunite, as players cut on Tuesday are eligible to be brought back as early as Wednesday.