After the disastrous turn last season took for the Washington Commanders, there was one goal for head coach Dan Quinn's squad entering 2026: stay healthy. And the team has already been dealt a devastating blow before the start of their preseason slate.
But as one door closes, another opens. And the concern blasts the window open for Brandon Coleman to make some noise after becoming the forgotten man on Washington's protection.
Prolific left tackle Laremy Tunsil will miss the majority, if not the entirety, of the regular season after suffering a torn triceps in training camp. Last year's top trade acquisition was worth every bit of the king's ransom the Commanders gave up for him, and they signed the five-time Pro Bowler to a hefty two-year extension this offseason.
Brandon Coleman must answer Commanders' call after Laremy Tunsil injury
Tunsil is arguably Washington's best overall player. He's one of the top handful of offensive linemen — not just left tackles — in the NFL. It's nothing short of a gut-punch.
But the Commanders' season still has hope, as long as Coleman is up to the task.
Coleman was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and had a promising rookie year. Washington's storybook run to the NFC Championship game came with him as the starting left tackle. So let's cool it on the idea that the Commanders can't win without Tunsil, because they already have.
However, it will require the mother of all bounce-back seasons from a player who had seen his role substantially diminished last fall.
The former TCU star was moved inside to left guard following Tunsil's arrival, an experiment that lasted only two weeks before he was benched for Chris Paul. He was buried deep in head coach Dan Quinn's doghouse and sat out several games as a healthy scratch.
Commanders have won before with Brandon Coleman on the blindside
Coleman was expected to serve as a backup again this season, though ht was in a competition for the starting left guard job with Paul. Now, that plan obviously changes. According to reports, the team will move him back to his natural position, and he will start unless Washington signs an established veteran.
And it's absolutely crucial that he can put last season behind him.
Two years ago, the Commanders were playing with house money. That was supposed to be an evaluation year for quarterback Jayden Daniels, and they accidentally came one game away from the Super Bowl. Now, there are expectations to go at least .500 following last season's rude awakening, and Coleman is firmly part of them.
The talent is there. It's all about the third-year pro's confidence and ability to regain the coaching staff's trust.
If Coleman can play himself back into the rhythm he was in prior to Tunsil's arrival, Washington just might be able to overcome this unimaginable setback.
Anything less, and they've got a major problem.
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