Tunsil tears triceps, out months for Commanders — SkimNews
SkimNews Take
A premium-priced left tackle now sidelined for most of the season forces Washington to choose between an early return and extended backup duty, while the injury occurring in live work against a pass rusher highlights the injury ledger teams quietly carry when scheduling full-speed joint practices.
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- Laremy Tunsil tore his triceps in a one-on-one pass rush drill against Odafe Oweh on Saturday, with Oweh starting upfield before cutting inside and driving into Tunsil's upper body; Tunsil immediately bent over and went to the medical tent.
- Recovery from such an injury typically takes at least four months and as long as six or seven, per the source, putting Tunsil on track to miss a significant portion of the regular season.
- Washington had signed Tunsil, a five-time Pro Bowler and the only Commander ranked in ESPN's top 10 at his position heading into 2026, to a two-year extension this offseason worth $61.5 million in total guarantees — making him the first offensive lineman to average $30 million per year.
- The Commanders acquired Tunsil from Houston in the 2025 offseason by trading four draft picks (two in 2025 and two in 2026) plus receiving a fourth-round pick back; he started 14 games for Washington and became a mentor to first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr.
- Veteran Andrew Wylie has played only five snaps at left tackle since 2017, while Brandon Coleman started 12 games there as a 2024 rookie and three more last season filling in for an injured Tunsil — making Coleman the likeliest replacement.
- The injury undercuts a positive Commanders camp coming off a 5-12 season that followed a 2024 NFC Championship Game run; Washington had just signed receiver Stefon Diggs on Wednesday to address another major roster hole.
Why it matters: The Commanders lose the anchor of their offensive line — and the only player at his position in ESPN's top 10 — heading into a season where they're trying to recapture the momentum of their 2024 NFC Championship run. With the $30M-per-year left tackle sidelined for 4-7 months and the next-man-up options unproven at the position, Washington's protection for Jayden Daniels now rests on Coleman or Wylie switching sides.
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