The Washington Commanders are staring at a major problem up front after losing Laremy Tunsil, and ESPN’s Field Yates didn’t sugarcoat just how damaging that absence could be.
“You can’t make a player the highest-paid left tackle ever, and then a few months later realize you’re going to be without him for potentially the entire season,” Yates said. “And not feel a major blow. This is perhaps the most indispensable player on the roster, not named Jayden Daniels himself.”
Tunsil, a 10-year veteran with five Pro Bowl honors, played in 14 games last season in his first year with Washington. Now the Commanders are bracing for a long stretch without him after he undergoes triceps surgery. The expected recovery time is at least four months, and it could stretch to six or seven.
Head coach Dan Quinn is still holding out hope that Tunsil can return this season, according to ESPN.
“It's always tough to talk about a player missing time, especially a great player like LT,” Quinn said. “Not only is he an unbelievable player, but he is an absolutely fantastic teammate. He'll be missed, and we certainly can't wait to get him back.”
For now, Washington is expected to turn to Brandon Coleman at left tackle unless the team makes a move in free agency. Quinn said he believes Coleman is ready for the job.
“[Coleman] has played a lot of winning football at left tackle here, and we know he's ready for it,” Quinn said. “He's put in an excellent offseason, and the team's very confident in him.”
Coleman, for his part, sounds ready for the challenge.
“I have the athleticism, I have the strength,” he said, “and it's just to learn that I'm able to do whatever I want to. It's just about having the mindset.”
Still, losing Tunsil is a serious hit to a Commanders offensive line that now looks thinner and far less stable. It’s the kind of setback that can ripple through an entire season, and it leaves Washington with a much tougher road in the rugged NFC East.
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