The Washington Commanders’ attempt to rebuild around Jayden Daniels has suffered a devastating setback before the season has even begun.
Star left tackle Laremy Tunsil reportedly tore his triceps during Saturday’s training camp practice and is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2026 NFL season.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Steve Wyche reported that Tunsil will likely require surgery. The Commanders have not yet announced a definitive recovery timeline, meaning claims that he will miss the entire season remain unconfirmed.
The injury was included in NFL.com’s latest league news roundup.
Washington loses its most important protector
Tunsil sustained the injury during a one-on-one pass-rush drill against Commanders edge rusher Odafe Oweh.
The five-time Pro Bowler reportedly grabbed his right arm and elbow immediately after the play before leaving the practice field for further examination.
Subsequent testing revealed the torn triceps.
While Washington is yet to confirm how many games Tunsil will miss, NFL Network reported that he will be unavailable for at least a significant part of the regular season. Other reports have suggested he could miss most—if not all—of the campaign.
Any extended absence would leave the Commanders without the player entrusted with protecting Daniels’ blind side.
Tunsil had become Washington’s best offensive lineman
Washington acquired Tunsil from the Houston Texans in March 2025, surrendering third and seventh-round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft and second and fourth-round picks in 2026.
The Commanders also received a 2025 fourth-round selection as part of the trade.
Tunsil started 14 games during his first season in Washington and quickly established himself as the team’s best offensive lineman.
According to Pro Football Focus figures published by the Commanders, he surrendered just two sacks and 15 pressures across those 14 appearances. He finished the season with an 88.9 pass-blocking grade.
Washington subsequently signed Tunsil to a two-year extension during the offseason, underlining his importance to the franchise’s plans.
The 32-year-old has started all 139 regular-season games in which he has appeared during his NFL career. He earned five Pro Bowl selections with Houston between 2019 and 2024.
Who replaces Tunsil?
Veteran Andrew Wylie moved to left tackle following Tunsil’s departure from practice, making him one of Washington’s immediate replacement options.
However, the Commanders could also move Brandon Coleman back to left tackle.
Coleman started 12 games at the position during his rookie season in 2024 but had recently been competing with Chris Paul for the starting left guard job.
Moving Coleman outside would potentially create another change on the interior of Washington’s offensive line.
Josh Conerly Jr. represents another option. The Commanders selected Conerly in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft after he played left tackle at Oregon, although Washington has primarily developed him on the right side.
The club has also added veteran tackles Nicholas Petit-Frere and Daniel Brunskill as it attempts to strengthen its depth.
Massive pressure now falls on Daniels
Washington’s offensive line was already entering an important season after the team finished 5-12 in 2025.
Tunsil was supposed to provide stability for Daniels while the Commanders introduced new additions and attempted to return to playoff contention.
His absence could force Washington to adjust its offensive approach, particularly if none of the internal replacement options can provide reliable one-on-one protection.
The Commanders may need to use additional tight-end and running-back protection or move Daniels outside the pocket more frequently.
Those changes would limit the offence’s flexibility and could also expose Daniels to additional hits.
Washington has attempted to support its quarterback by adding experienced talent on both sides of the ball. The club previously signed veteran pass-rusher Von Miller and later secured Oweh on a lucrative deal during free agency.
Oweh was included among the highest-paid defensive ends to change teams during the 2026 offseason.
Commanders facing difficult opening assignment
Tunsil’s injury leaves Washington preparing for its season opener against Philadelphia without its premier pass protector.
That matchup could be particularly unforgiving, given the Eagles’ ability to generate pressure through their defensive front.
The Commanders still have several weeks to determine their preferred offensive-line combination, and they could explore the remaining free-agent market for another experienced tackle.
Finding a genuine replacement for Tunsil, however, will be nearly impossible.
Washington invested significant draft capital and money in the five-time Pro Bowler because reliable left tackles are among the NFL’s most valuable players. His injury has now created a major weakness at the worst possible time.
The exact recovery period will become clearer following surgery, but the early outlook is bleak: Daniels is set to begin the season without the man Washington paid to protect him.
