No Sugarcoating It: Losing Tunsil Changes Everything

There is no point trying to dress this one up. Losing Laremy Tunsil to injury is a significant blow to the Washington Commanders and potentially one that could have a major impact on the 2026 season.

Tunsil suffered a torn triceps during Saturday's training camp practice, with the injury occurring during a one-on-one pass-rush drill against Odafe Oweh. He left the field and is expected to undergo surgery, with reports suggesting he will miss at least a significant portion of the regular season.

The exact recovery timeline will become clearer after surgery, but early indications point towards a lengthy absence rather than a short-term injury. For a team that had spent the offseason building its offensive line around a five-time Pro Bowl left tackle, that is a major problem.

Tunsil was brought to Washington specifically to solve the left tackle position and protect Jayden Daniels' blind side. He started 14 games in his first season with the Commanders and recently signed a two-year extension worth $61.5 million.

So what does Adam Peters do now?

There are three realistic options.

Option 1: Brandon Coleman to Left Tackle

The most straightforward internal solution would be to move Brandon Coleman back to left tackle.

Coleman has already done the job at NFL level. As a rookie in 2024, he played all 16 games and started 12, with Pro Football Reference listing him specifically as Washington's starting left tackle.

That season needs some context. Coleman was a third-round rookie, playing one of the most difficult positions in football while protecting another rookie in Jayden Daniels. There were inevitable inconsistencies, but there were also enough positive signs for Washington to believe that he had the athletic ability and physical tools to develop.

Two years later, Coleman is a more experienced NFL player. He has spent time developing at guard and tackle and should be a better player than he was as a rookie. He also has genuine experience of playing left tackle, rather than simply being moved there because the team has run out of alternatives.

There is a downside. Coleman has been working at left guard, so moving him back outside would create another adjustment along the offensive line. But if the Commanders want to minimise disruption, this is probably the first option they should explore.

It is also worth remembering that Washington's own evaluation of Coleman has always recognised his versatility. When he was drafted, the Commanders highlighted his experience at both guard and tackle, while noting that he had significant experience at left tackle in college.

Verdict: The most logical internal solution, and the one Peters will likely give the first opportunity.

Option 2: Shuffle the Existing Line

The second option would be to move Josh Conerly Jr to left tackle and Andrew Wylie to right tackle, although there is also the possibility of simply putting Wylie at left tackle.

Of those two choices, I prefer the former.

Conerly is a first-round pick who Washington clearly believes can become a long-term starter. His rookie season was mixed, but there were signs of improvement towards the end of the campaign, and he has spent a significant part of the offseason working on his development.

The problem is that much of that work has been focused on right tackle.

Moving Conerly to the left side now would mean changing his footwork, angles and responsibilities just as he is trying to take the next step in his development.

It could work, and perhaps the Commanders ultimately believe that left tackle is his natural long-term position, but there is a risk of disrupting the progress he has made.

Moving Wylie to right tackle would at least give Washington an experienced player alongside him and is therefore a reasonably palatable option.

The other possibility is putting Wylie directly at left tackle. He has the experience and versatility to do it, and he actually took reps there after Tunsil left Saturday's practice.

However, I would see that as more of an emergency solution. Wylie's value is partly his ability to provide depth and versatility across the offensive line, and asking him to become the permanent replacement for a five-time Pro Bowler would represent a significant downgrade.

Verdict: Conerly to LT/Wylie to RT is viable, but I don't particularly want to disrupt Conerly's development. Wylie at LT would be my least attractive internal option.

Option 3: Sign a Veteran

The third option is to look outside the building.

Washington has the financial flexibility to do so, and there are still experienced tackles available who could potentially be signed on a one-year deal.

Taylor Decker is the obvious name. He remains one of the most experienced left tackles available after spending his career as a starter in Detroit. At 32, he wouldn't be a long-term solution, but that's not necessarily what Washington needs right now. The Commanders need someone who can step into the lineup and provide credible NFL-level experience while the rest of the offensive line remains intact.

There is also a previous connection with David Blough from their time together in Detroit, although that should be regarded as a bonus rather than a reason to make the signing.

Cam Robinson is another possibility. He brings extensive starting experience on the left side of the line from his time with Jacksonville and Cleveland and would give Washington another experienced option rather than asking a young player to immediately take over one of the most demanding positions in football.

Neither player would replace Tunsil's production. That's an unrealistic expectation. The attraction is that a veteran signing could allow Washington to avoid moving several pieces around the offensive line and give Jayden Daniels an experienced player protecting his blind side.

What Would I Do?

If Taylor Decker is willing to sign a sensible one-year deal, I think Washington should seriously consider it. That would give the Commanders a genuine alternative if Coleman doesn't look ready and would allow Josh Conerly to continue developing at right tackle rather than forcing another change.

The reality is that there is no way to replace Laremy Tunsil. Washington can only try to limit the damage.