The Washington Commanders are still reeling from the absence of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who is out indefinitely with a torn triceps that will require surgery. And head coach Dan Quinn outlined precisely what his team is losing with such an established figure.
After confirming Tunsil would be out for a long period as he recovered from his imminent procedure, Quinn acknowledged just how significant a loss this will be for the Commanders. Not just for the blindside enforcer's on-the-field prowess, but also the impact he makes behind the scenes as a leader and mentor.
Dan Quinn knows what a significant loss Laremy Tunsil is for the Commanders
It's a gut-wrenching injury at the worst possible time. And Quinn knows it.
"It's always tough to talk about a player missing time, especially a great player like LT. Not only is he an unbelievable player, he is an absolutely fantastic teammate. He'll be missed, and we certainly can't wait to get him back. The on-field portion speaks for itself. The off-field portion is also significant. The relationships with his teammates. It's significant for us."
LIVE: HC Dan Quinn speaks to the media before practice https://t.co/uGwgZfOJic
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 10, 2026
Tunsil is an elite-level performer widely regarded as one of the league's best left tackles. The Commanders extended him this offseason, giving him the first offensive tackle contract in NFL history at $30 million per season. And it was richly deserved after an exceptional first campaign in Washington.
This will also have a ripple effect elsewhere.
The former Ole Miss standout has taken Josh Conerly Jr. under his wing, spending considerable time with the 2025 first-round pick this offseason to strengthen an already blossoming relationship. This security blanket is now gone, so the onus is on the Oregon product to step up without Tunsil to depend on.
Quinn also confirmed the reports that Brandon Coleman will move back outside to fill the gaping void left by Tunsil. He manned the blindside role as a rookie before the veteran's arrival, and he looks well-suited to the outside zone blocking concepts being installed by new offensive coordinator David Blough.
However, almost anyone is a downgrade on the attributes Tunsil brings to the table.
This is a devastating blow whichever way one looks at it.
Tunsil is a franchise cornerstone. He's arguably Washington's best overall player, regardless of position. His ability to lead is understated yet hugely impactful. And unless Coleman makes substantial strides in the coming weeks, things could get complicated for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
After last season's constant stream of injuries to key personnel, being without Tunsil is the last thing Washington needed. Quinn looked disheartened, but he must keep plowing through. There is no time for the Commanders to feel sorry for themselves, not with so much at stake this season.
It's next man up. Nothing more, nothing less.
The Commanders are a worse team without Tunsil; there is absolutely no getting away from that. But the importance of what comes next cannot be overstated.
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