Laremy Tunsil’s road back just got a little more interesting for the Washington Commanders.
A recent social media post from the star left tackle stirred up real chatter around the possibility that he could be back before the end of the season, giving Washington fans at least a flicker of optimism after a brutal injury setback.
Tunsil, who signed a two-year extension this offseason and became the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman again, tore his triceps during a training camp practice on Aug. 8. The injury was a major hit for both him and the Commanders, and most around the league expected him to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 regular season.
Now, nearly three months after triceps surgery, the situation still isn’t clear-cut. The injury typically sidelines players for 4-6 months, and offensive linemen often land on the longer end of that window because of how demanding the position is. But when head coach Dan Quinn was asked about Tunsil after the online buzz, he sounded encouraged about where the recovery stands.
“He is about just a few weeks away from his next visit to check where the healing is, and that,” Quinn said about Tunsil. “So, in a few weeks I’ll have a better assessment, but his next appointment’s just weeks away, not months away.
We’ll have a better sense when we get to that. And all the steps that we’ve had, he’s hit; he’s healing.
So, he’s where we expected him to be, and it’s good to see him here working and doing all the things, but until we get to that next hurdle, we’ll have a better sense then.”
Washington is 1-4-1 coming out of the bye and will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. Even with the slow start, the Commanders are still in the NFC East picture, and that matters here.
If the team keeps losing, there’s not much sense in pushing Tunsil back early. But if Washington catches fire and stays alive in the division race into December and January, the door to a return gets harder to shut.
For now, the biggest takeaway is that Tunsil is still engaged, still around the team and still working. Whether that leads to a 2026 return or not, that alone says plenty.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Face A Big Trade Deadline Decision At Wide Receiver
The wide receiver market is starting to loom over Washington as the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10 approaches, and the Commanders are at least being linked to a move that could help deepen their passing game. ESPN has put three names in the conversation: Clevelands Jerry Jeudy, Baltimores Rashod Bateman and Tampa Bays Chris Godwin, giving the front office a short list of options with very different levels of appeal.
Each candidate comes with a different type of fit and a different level of realism, which is what makes this such a tricky decision for Washington. Bateman appears to be the cleanest match for what the Commanders might want, while Godwin is the most complicated swing of the group because of his injury history and age, leaving the team to weigh upside against the kind of certainty it can actually get before the deadline. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Trade Debate Just Got Real On The Offensive Line
Washingtons offensive line has been a point of concern this season, with the unit sitting 20th in the NFL by PFFs grading. That backdrop is what makes the latest trade chatter worth watching, because any move up front would be aimed at stabilizing a group that has not consistently given the offense the kind of protection and flexibility it needs.
ESPN has floated the Commanders as a possible landing spot for New Orleans guard Cesar Ruiz, a player whose appeal goes beyond one spot on the interior. Ruiz brings the kind of versatility teams covet along the line, and a deal would make sense on paper for both sides, but for now it remains only a projection rather than an actual transaction. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Backfield Question Just Got Tied To Two Big Names
The Commanders backfield is suddenly part of a bigger trade-deadline conversation, with ESPN linking Washington to two of the more recognizable running backs on the market. Jonathan Taylor of the Colts and Tony Pollard of the Titans both surfaced as possible targets, which at least gives a clearer sense of the kind of upgrade Washington could be weighing if it decides to chase help behind its offense.
Taylor appears to be the more realistic name to monitor, with Washington sitting near the top of the list of possible destinations. Pollard is a tougher fit to pry loose, given Tennessees desire to keep playmakers in place for Cam Ward, and ESPN still views Washingtons overall odds of landing a running back as low. Even so, the Commanders being mentioned at all suggests they are at least keeping tabs on a market that could shape the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]