The Washington Commanders are hoping to bounce back from last year's 5-12 record with the help of some new additions to the offense. Unfortunately, they might find it a lot harder now with their Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil set to miss time.
On Saturday, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Steve Wyche reported that Tunsil suffered a torn triceps during one-on-one pass rush drills. He will need to undergo surgery and is expected to miss "a significant portion of the regular season."
"Sources to me and @wyche89 : #Commanders five-time Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps in practice today during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills. He’ll likely require surgery and will miss at least a significant portion of the regular season," Garafolo wrote on X.
Tunsil started 14 games for the Commanders last season in his first year for them following a trade from the Houston Texans. The left tackle had made Pro Bowls in five of his previous six seasons before going to Washington.
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Options
Commanders insider John Keim reported that Tunsil's timeline could range from four to seven months. He noted that left guard Brandon Coleman could be a candidate to play left tackle as could veteran Andrew Wylie, though Coleman has far more experience at the position.
"If Laremy Tunsil indeed requires surgery, the timeline could be anywhere from 4-6 or 7 months. But more information still needed. Brandon Coleman is a strong option to move outside to LT. Has started 15 games the last two years at LT. Had been battling Chris Paul at LG," Keim wrote.
"They also have Andrew Wylie, who typically replaces Tunsil in practice but has played almost exclusively on the right side. He's played 5 snaps at LT in his career - each one occurred as part of an unbalanced line or in short yardage."
The Commanders boast a pretty impressive receiving corps thanks to the recent addition of Stefon Diggs to a lineup that includes Terry McLaurin.
But all of the weapons in the world don't mean much if the quarterback doesn't have good enough blindside protection.
No team knows that better than the Commanders.
