Commanders Suffer Major Blow as Laremy Tunsil Reportedly Tears Triceps in Training Camp
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog
The Washington Commanders have suffered what could be one of the most damaging injuries of their summer.
Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps during Saturday’s training camp practice and is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2026 season, according to reports from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Steve Wyche. Surgery is considered likely.
Tunsil was injured during a one-on-one pass-rush drill against Commanders edge rusher Odafe Oweh. Tunsil reportedly disengaged awkwardly from the rep and immediately grabbed his right arm before leaving the field with members of Washington’s training staff. Earlier reports from practice only described the issue as an undisclosed injury, but the diagnosis later became much more concerning.
For a Washington team hoping to contend in the NFC, losing its premier pass protector represents a massive setback just weeks before the regular season.
Tunsil Was a Cornerstone of Washington’s Offensive Line
The injury is particularly difficult for Washington because of the organization’s investment in Tunsil.
The Commanders acquired Tunsil from the Houston Texans in March 2025 as part of an aggressive effort to upgrade the protection around quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington received Tunsil and a 2025 fourth-round selection, while Houston received third- and seventh-round picks in 2025 along with second- and fourth-round selections in 2026.
Tunsil quickly became one of Washington’s most important offensive players.
Commanders general manager Adam Peters said earlier this offseason that Tunsil had been highly influential on Washington’s offensive line. Tunsil allowed only two sacks during the 2025 season while also posting some of the best run-blocking numbers of his career.
Washington made its commitment to Tunsil even stronger this offseason.
The Commanders announced a contract extension with the veteran tackle in March. NFL Network reported that the extension was worth two years and $60.2 million, including $52.65 million fully guaranteed at signing. The $30.1 million average annual value temporarily made Tunsil the NFL’s highest-paid offensive tackle.
Washington clearly viewed Tunsil as one of the primary building blocks around Daniels.
Now the Commanders suddenly have to figure out how to replace him.
Who Replaces Tunsil?
That might be Washington’s biggest question moving forward.
The Commanders’ current unofficial depth chart lists Tunsil as the starting left tackle without another player directly listed behind him. Josh Conerly Jr. is the starting right tackle, with Trent Scott behind him. Brandon Coleman is currently listed behind Chris Paul at left guard, while Andrew Wylie is listed behind Sam Cosmi at right guard.
Washington does have options because several of its offensive linemen have experience playing tackle.
Brandon Coleman may be the most interesting possibility.
Coleman entered the NFL with tackle experience before Washington began utilizing him more extensively at guard. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound lineman has spent considerable time learning from Tunsil and has experience protecting Daniels.
Andrew Wylie could also become part of the solution. Wylie has extensive NFL starting experience and has played multiple positions during his career.
During Saturday’s practice, Wylie reportedly stepped in after Tunsil left the field.
Washington’s training camp roster also includes Scott and Foster Sarell as tackles, giving the Commanders some internal depth.
Still, none provides a direct replacement for a five-time Pro Bowl tackle.
Moving Coleman outside could create another issue because Washington would then have to replace him within the guard rotation. Moving Conerly from right tackle to left tackle would potentially disrupt two positions rather than one.
The Commanders could therefore look outside the organization for additional veteran tackle depth before Week 1.
Protecting Jayden Daniels Becomes the Priority
The larger concern is what the injury means for Daniels.
Washington acquired Tunsil largely because the Commanders wanted an elite blind-side protector for their franchise quarterback. Before Tunsil arrived, Daniels had been sacked at one of the higher rates among NFL quarterbacks, and Washington specifically targeted offensive line improvement as part of its roster construction around him.
The relationship between elite quarterback play and offensive line stability makes losing Tunsil particularly significant.
Washington had constructed what appeared to be a strong offensive line entering camp, with Tunsil at left tackle, Chris Paul at left guard, Nick Allegretti in the interior, Sam Cosmi at right guard and Conerly at right tackle.
That group gave Washington a combination of experience and young talent.
Tunsil was the centerpiece.
He entered training camp considered one of the better tackles in football, and the Commanders noted that ESPN ranked him among the league’s top tackles heading into the season.
There simply are not many players capable of replacing that level of pass protection.
A Brutal Training Camp Injury
The circumstances also make the injury particularly frustrating.
Tunsil was not injured during a preseason game or regular-season contest. The injury happened during a one-on-one practice rep — one of the countless drills offensive and defensive linemen participate in throughout training camp.
He reportedly matched up with Oweh, disengaged from the rep and immediately began experiencing discomfort in the arm. He initially went into the medical tent before heading toward the Commanders’ training facility for additional evaluation.
The first reports created some optimism that the injury might not be serious.
That optimism disappeared later Saturday when Garafolo reported the torn triceps diagnosis and that surgery would likely be necessary.
A precise timetable has not yet been announced by the Commanders.
That distinction matters.
Reports currently indicate that Tunsil will miss at least a significant portion of the season, rather than definitively ruling him out for the entire year.
Washington will likely provide more clarity after additional testing and a surgical decision.
Washington Built Around Tunsil
One reason this injury could change Washington’s plans is just how aggressively the Commanders invested in Tunsil.
Washington surrendered meaningful draft capital to acquire him from Houston and then followed that move by giving him another major contract.
That was not an investment in a short-term rental.
Washington viewed Tunsil as the anchor of its offensive line during a window in which Daniels gives the Commanders an opportunity to compete.
Tunsil has established himself as one of the premier pass-blocking tackles of his generation.
During his final season with Houston in 2024, he earned an 89.1 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus and recorded a 93 percent pass-block win rate, according to statistics cited by the Commanders when they acquired him.
Those are difficult numbers to replace with one player.
Washington will likely need to compensate schematically.
That could mean more tight-end help, running backs chipping pass rushers, quicker passing concepts and possibly moving the pocket more frequently for Daniels.
But those adjustments come with costs.
Leaving additional blockers in protection removes potential receivers from routes. Altering the offense because of one injury also allows defenses to dictate how Washington plays.
That is why elite left tackles are paid like premium players.
MSB Take
This is about as difficult an August injury as the Commanders could have suffered.
Washington can survive injuries at many positions because NFL rosters are specifically constructed with depth in mind.
Replacing an elite left tackle is different.
Tunsil was not merely one of Washington’s five starting offensive linemen. He was arguably the most important member of that group because of his ability to consistently protect Daniels’ blind side without requiring additional help.
The Commanders still have talent on the offensive line.
Conerly remains an exciting young tackle. Cosmi is an established starting-caliber guard. Coleman brings flexibility. Wylie brings experience.
But the entire structure becomes less comfortable without Tunsil.
Washington now has several weeks to determine whether Coleman, Wylie, Scott or another internal candidate can handle the position. The front office should also carefully evaluate every veteran tackle who becomes available during roster cuts.
There should be no hesitation about adding another capable offensive lineman.
The Commanders have invested too much in Daniels and this roster to allow one injury to derail the offense.
Washington does not need to find another Laremy Tunsil.
There probably is not one available.
But it needs to find the best possible combination to keep Daniels upright while Tunsil begins what could be a lengthy recovery.
For a Commanders team entering 2026 with substantial expectations, Saturday’s practice may have produced the first major adversity of the season.
Maryland Sports Blog will continue to follow Tunsil’s medical status and Washington’s plans at left tackle as additional information becomes available.
