Laremy Tunsil Sidelined for "Significant Portion" of 2026 Season
· Yahoo Sports
After a string of good news hit the Washington Commanders over the last 48 hours, a significant injury has dealt arguably one of the biggest blows possible ahead of the 2026 regular season.
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Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported on Saturday night that star left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps in Saturday's practice that will likely require surgery and sideline him for the start of the regular season.
Tunsil left midway through Saturday's practice after going down following a one-on-one with star edge rusher Odafe Oweh, initially heading into the medical tent before heading back inside the facility.
It marks a brutal blow for Tunsil, who proved himself as one of the best after arriving in Washington.
The Commanders traded four draft picks to the Houston Texans in exchange for Tunsil ahead of the 2025 season, going on to allow just two sacks and 15 pressures in nearly 500 snaps in pass protection in his first season with the team. Despite entering 2026 on the final year of his initial deal, the expectation that the Commanders extended Tunsil ended up materializing just days into the official start of free agency after inking a two year deal worth $60.2 million.
Tunsil was also one of two players who exited practice early on Saturday after cornerback Trey Amos, who returned to the practice field on Friday after being one of three players activated, also entered the medical tent then entered the facility like Tunsil. It's unclear what happened with Amos after participating in team drills earlier in the day.
It also marks a blow for the Commanders given the offensive line was viewed as a potential strength, yet now adds a question mark along the roster even prior to the start of preseason.
Head coach Dan Quinn previously said that it could be another week until a more clear diagnosis emerges for both center Nick Allegretti and tight end John Bates. Allegretti, the projected starting center this season, went down with a calf strain in the first practice of training camp before Bates suffered a strained hamstring.
Whether Washington turns outside the organization to replace Tunsil will be worth tracking, but the presence of Brandon Coleman could loom even larger now. Andrew Wylie, who re-signed with the team this offseason, is a candidate to replace Tunsil while Quinn previously noted that Coleman is being viewed exclusively at guard as he competes with Chris Paul for the starting job. Coleman was also seen taking practice snaps at center following last week's practice, yet it was the former second round pick who stepped in to replace Tunsil for the final two games of the 2025 season. Whether Wylie is able to secure the spot through preseason will now be worth tracking as Coleman could emerge as a versatile and needed piece for the Commanders' offensive line.