Losing five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps represents a body blow to the Washington Commanders. And even though the full recovery timeline hasn't been confirmed as yet, new intel from inside the building paints a bleak scenario.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, who spent some time with the Commanders at training camp recently, revealed that Tunsil is still a few weeks away from knowing just how long he'll be out of action. He's had surgery, so this is now down to the healing process.
Washington will let things run their course. However, the insider confirmed that head coach Dan Quinn is working on the premise that Tunsil will be out for the entire 2026 campaign.
Commanders are not expecting to have Laremy Tunsil back in 2026
It's a major setback. But if the Commanders somehow make it to the playoffs without him, that could become a much more attainable goal for Tunsil on his road to recovery.
"The offensive line has questions, particularly after the loss of star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps. There’s a shot that he’ll make it back for the playoffs, but the Commanders won’t know for another 6–8 weeks, so they’re moving forward on the assumption that they’ll be without him this year."
Obviously, there is no telling for sure. But either way, Tunsil is a long-term absentee, and the Commanders just have to find the right coping mechanisms to ensure his absence isn't sorely felt.
Easier said than done.
Tunsil is arguably Washington's best overall player. He's among the best blindside enforcers anywhere in the league. You just don't replace guys like that.
It's almost impossible.
The Commanders will just have to make the best out of a bad situation. They are rolling with 2024 third-round pick Brandon Coleman, who's got experience on the edge and has transitioned well since Tunsil got hurt.
Commanders are dealing with more OL problems at the worst possible time
Is it the same? Of course not, but it'll have to do for now.
The former Ole Miss standout is a fierce competitor. Tunsil will be eager to get himself back into the lineup as quickly as possible. It's a tough injury, and if the Commanders are not in the playoff running late in the season, those in power will probably keep the bigger picture in mind.
To make matters worse, Washington also has problems on the interior.
Quinn finally admitted after Washington's preseason loss to the Detroit Lions that the center position is something they have to figure out, and quickly. Chris Paul's production at left guard wasn't great, and there were even reports that Coleman was ahead of him in their competition before Tunsil went down.
The right-hand side should be solid with Sam Cosmi and Josh Conerly Jr. Unfortunately for the Commanders and star quarterback Jayden Daniels, that will not be enough.
Any team in the NFL would miss a player of Tunsil's caliber. The Commanders paid him the first offensive tackle contract extension in league history with an annual average salary of $30 million this offseason. His on-field production and exceptional behind-the-scenes leadership were a breath of fresh air. And finally, after all those years since the Trent Williams debacle, Washington had a franchise left tackle.
Now, they don't.
At least for most, if not all, of the 2026 campaign.
The Commanders are not expecting to have Tunsil this season. They'll play the hand they've been dealt, and hope the roster enhancements elsewhere will be enough to turn the tide. But even if the lineman does progress quicker than expected, it'll take him a lot longer to get in genuine game shape.
Tunsil will be a major part of the team's plans when he returns. But that might not be until 2027 at 33 years old.
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