The Washington Commanders were supposed to be a team on the rise. After a disappointing 5-12 campaign, they spent the offseason loading up on offensive weapons, hoping to finally give their quarterback some firepower. But on Saturday, the franchise's optimism took a serious gut punch.
According to NFL Network insiders Mike Garafolo and Steve Wyche, star left tackle Laremy Tunsil went down during one-on-one pass-rush drills in practice. The diagnosis is a torn triceps, and surgery is on the horizon. The five-time Pro Bowler is expected to miss what they're calling "a significant portion of the regular season."
"Sources to me and @wyche89: #Commanders five-time Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps in practice today during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills. He'll likely require surgery and will miss at least a significant portion of the regular season," Garafolo posted on X.
The timing couldn't be worse. Tunsil was a rock for Washington last year after arriving via trade from the Houston Texans, starting 14 games and anchoring the blind side. He'd been to the Pro Bowl in five of his previous six seasons before joining the Commanders, and his presence was a big reason the offense had playoff hopes.
Now, the coaching staff is scrambling. Team insider John Keim reports the recovery timeline could stretch anywhere from four to seven months, which would almost certainly wipe out the bulk of the season. The immediate question: who steps in?
Keim points to left guard Brandon Coleman as a natural candidate. Coleman has started 15 games at left tackle over the past two years and was already battling Chris Paul for the left guard spot. Moving him outside would leave a hole on the interior, but it might be the best option.
Then there's Andrew Wylie, a veteran who typically fills in for Tunsil during practice. But Wylie has spent nearly his entire career on the right side—he's played just five snaps at left tackle, all in unbalanced or short-yardage situations. That's a steep learning curve for a critical position.
The Commanders have built an impressive receiving corps, highlighted by the recent addition of Stefon Diggs alongside Terry McLaurin. Diggs made headlines when he chose Washington over other suitors, and the offense looked poised to light up scoreboards. But all the weapons in the world don't matter if the quarterback is running for his life.
Losing Tunsil is a brutal reminder of how fragile a team's plans can be. The injury bug has been biting across the NFL this preseason, and Washington just became its latest victim. For a franchise desperate to turn the corner, this is a devastating blow.
The team will likely explore external options, but the free-agent market for left tackles is thin. For now, the Commanders are hoping Coleman can hold the fort, or that Wylie can somehow adapt. Either way, the blindside protection that was supposed to be a strength is now the biggest question mark on the roster.
As the regular season looms, Washington's playoff hopes just got a whole lot murkier. The offense was built to score, but without Tunsil, it might be the defense that keeps them in games. One thing is certain: the road to recovery starts now, and it's going to be a long one.
