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Disaster Strikes DC: Tunsil Tears Triceps, Season Over?
Commanders’ Star Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil Out Long-Term with Torn Triceps
What Happened?
Washington Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a serious injury during Saturday’s practice. Here’s the simple breakdown:
- The injury: Torn triceps muscle (the big muscle on the back of your upper arm)
- How it happened: During a one-on-one pass-rush drill against linebacker Odafe Oweh
- What happened next: Tunsil immediately bent over in pain, held his right side, and went to the medical tent before heading inside for more tests
- The verdict: Will need surgery and will miss "at least a significant portion of the regular season"
IMPORTANT POINT: Recovery from a torn triceps typically takes 4 to 7 months. This means Tunsil could miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season.
Why This Is a Huge Deal for Washington
Tunsil Was the Anchor of the Offensive Line
| Fact | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 5-time Pro Bowler | One of the league’s best at his position for years |
| Only Commander in ESPN’s top 10 | Voted by coaches/executives as a top-10 player entering 2026 |
| First OL to average $30M/year | Signed a 2-year extension with $61.5M guaranteed this offseason |
| Team captain & mentor | Helped develop rookie right tackle Josh Conerly |
The Commanders Were Building Momentum
- Coming off 2024 NFC Championship run – The team made a deep playoff push
- Positive training camp vibes – Players and coaches noted increased energy
- Just signed Stefon Diggs – Added a star receiver to help the passing game
- Traded 4 draft picks for Tunsil – Invested heavily to get him from Houston in 2025
IMPORTANT POINT: Losing Tunsil is like losing the shield protecting your quarterback’s blind side. It changes everything for the offense.
Who Steps In? The Backup Plan
The Commanders have a few options, but none are ideal replacements for an All-Pro:
Option 1: Andrew Wylie (Veteran)
- Experience: In the NFL since 2017
- Problem: Has played only 5 snaps at left tackle in his entire career
- Role: Usually fills in when Tunsil misses practice
Option 2: Brandon Coleman (Young & Tested)
- Rookie year (2024): Started 12 games at left tackle
- 2025: Started 3 more games when Tunsil was hurt
- Current status: Competing with Chris Paul at left guard
- Advantage: Already knows the position and system
Option 3: Shuffle the Line
- Move Coleman to LT, insert Chris Paul at LG
- Or try Wylie at LT with Coleman staying at LG
IMPORTANT POINT: Left tackle is NOT the same as right tackle. It requires different footwork and protects the QB’s blind side (for right-handed QBs). It’s one of the hardest positions to fill mid-season.
What This Means for the 2026 Season
The Bad News
- Pass protection takes a hit – Quarterback will face more pressure
- Run game suffers – Tunsil was elite at creating running lanes
- Young QB development – If Washington starts a young QB, losing their best protector is devastating
The "Silver Linings"
- Coleman has starting experience at the exact position
- Conerly (RT) took a big step forward with Tunsil’s mentorship
- Extra motivation – Team can rally around "us against the world" mentality
- Salary cap flexibility – If Tunsil goes on IR, some cap space opens up
Timeline: What Happens Next?
- Surgery scheduled – Likely within the next week
- IR designation – Team will place him on Injured Reserve
- Roster move – Sign a free agent or promote from practice squad
- Line reshuffling – Coaches experiment with combinations in remaining practices
- Week 1 preparation – Game-plan adjusts for new left tackle
Summary
The Washington Commanders suffered a crushing blow when All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil tore his triceps in practice. The 32-year-old, five-time Pro Bowler who just signed a record-setting $61.5M guaranteed contract will miss most or all of the 2026 season after surgery.
This derails a promising offseason where Washington:
- Added star WR Stefon Diggs
- Built positive momentum after 2024 NFC Championship run
- Invested heavily in offensive line stability
Now the team must rely on Brandon Coleman (who has 15 career starts at LT) or veteran Andrew Wylie (5 career LT snaps) to protect the quarterback’s blind side. It’s a massive challenge, but one the Commanders must solve quickly if they want to contend in 2026.
FAQ
What exactly is a torn triceps?
A: The triceps is the large muscle on the back of your upper arm that straightens your elbow. A tear means the muscle or its tendon has ripped away from the bone. It requires surgery to reattach and months of rehab.
Why is left tackle so important?
A: For a right-handed quarterback (most QBs), the left tackle protects their blind side – the side they can’t see when dropping back to pass. If that defender beats the tackle, the QB gets hit without seeing it coming. That’s how injuries and fumbles happen.
Can Brandon Coleman really replace Tunsil?
A: He’s the best internal option because he’s started 15 games at left tackle over two seasons. But Tunsil is a future Hall of Famer. Coleman is a solid starter; Tunsil was elite. There’s a drop-off, but it’s not a total disaster.
Will the Commanders sign a free agent left tackle?
A: Very likely. There aren’t many quality tackles available in August, but GM Adam Peters will scour the market. Expect a veteran signing within the next 1-2 weeks.
Does this ruin Washington’s season?
A: Not necessarily. The 2024 team overcame injuries to reach the NFC Championship. Good teams adapt. But it makes the path much harder and puts enormous pressure on the backup plan working immediately.
