The Washington Commanders were dealt a blow on Saturday when left tackle Laremy Tunsil was injured. The news comes just days after the team celebrated the arrival of veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
NFL World Saddened by Laremy Tunsil Injury News
The five-time Pro Bowler is suffering from torn triceps that are expected to keep him out for several months in the 2026 season, if not the entire campaign. Losing a player of Tunsil’s caliber this late in the offseason is a massive blow for Washington.
NFL insiders and analysts quickly reacted to the news:
“The Huge loss. There’s no replacing Highway 78,” The Athletic columnist David Aldridge wrote on X.
Huge loss. There’s no replacing Highway 78. https://t.co/Qx1Hltaykz
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) August 9, 2026
“That’s a brutal injury. One of the top LTs in football out indefinitely,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport posted on X.
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Sports analyst Nico also reacted to the news, saying, “Oh man, that’s a huge blow to the Commanders’ offense.”
ESPN reporter John Keim said, “A terrible blow for the Commanders.”
A terrible blow for the Commanders. https://t.co/e6eGSxYD4a
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 9, 2026
Yahoo Sports writer Matt Harmon said, “This is brutal for what could be a promising offense. Easily the No. 1 non QB player they could least afford to lose.”
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky wrote, “Rough news for Wash.”
The injury is concerning because Tunsil was one of the most important pieces of Washington’s offensive line. According to PFN’s Player OL Impact Metric, he posted an impact score of 81.9 last season.
The Commanders traded for him last year and, in March 2026, handed him a two-year contract extension worth $60.2 million. He was the NFL’s highest-paid offensive tackle at the time.
Commanders enter the 2026 season with a new offensive coordinator in David Blough, and their offense is expected to look different under him. Tunsil’s absence will hurt the offense most when Jayden Daniels drops back to pass.
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Tunsil has been one of the league’s better pass protectors. Replacing that level of protection on the blind side will be difficult. Play-action passes will become tricky when Daniels turns his back to the defense and needs more time for routes to develop.
The Commanders could keep a tight end in to help the new left tackle or use running backs to chip pass rushers. That would provide more protection for Daniels, although it would also take another player out of the passing game.
Blough could also rely on motions and shifts to create easier opportunities for the offense and help whoever replaces Tunsil. The obvious option on Washington’s current roster is Brandon Coleman.
According to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, “The plan is to turn to Brandon Coleman at left tackle, according to a team source who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.”
Head coach Dan Quinn has also confirmed that Tunsil is all set to undergo surgery and Coleman will indeed be the starting left tackle, per Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport wrote, “Tunsil is out most or all of the regular season.”
Coleman has experience playing on the left side. He started 22 games at left tackle during his time at TCU and also made 12 regular-season starts there as a rookie with Washington before starting all three playoff games. He also spent part of this offseason training with Tunsil at Alabama.
Washington can also keep Paul at left guard and Josh Conerly Jr. at right tackle, while Andrew Wylie remains an option as a swing tackle.
The Commanders made a major investment in Tunsil and expected him to anchor the offensive line. Now, with the season approaching, they will have to find a way to keep Daniels upright without one of their most important offensive players.
