The Washington Commanders have taken a significant hit before the season has even started.
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Star left tackle Laremy Tunsil will undergo surgery to repair a torn triceps and is expected to miss significant time, coach Dan Quinn announced Monday.
Washington isn't ruling out Tunsil returning this season, although Quinn said the team won't have a firm timetable until after the five-time Pro Bowler undergoes surgery.
"It's always tough to talk about a player missing time, especially a great player like LT," Quinn told reporters. "Not only is he an unbelievable player, but he is an absolutely fantastic teammate."
Tunsil suffered the injury during Saturday's practice while participating in a one-on-one pass-rush drill. He immediately appeared to be in pain and headed to the medical tent.
It's a brutal development for a Washington offense that was counting on Tunsil to protect the blind side.
The Commanders acquired Tunsil before the 2025 season and signed him to a two-year extension this offseason that included $61.5 million in guarantees. The deal made him the first offensive lineman in NFL history with a contract averaging $30 million per season.
Brandon Coleman will take over as Washington's starting left tackle while Tunsil recovers.
Coleman started 12 games at the position as a rookie in 2024 and three more last season when Tunsil was unavailable. Quinn said the Commanders don't currently plan to bring in outside help.
"He's played a lot of winning football at left tackle here, and we know he's ready for it," Quinn said of Coleman.
The hope now is that Coleman can hold down one of football's most important positions until Tunsil gets another chance to return.
