The Washington Commanders entered training camp hoping their offensive line could become a strength of the offense in 2026.
Now, one injury might push for a bigger question.
Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps during Saturday’s training camp practice, an injury that will require surgery and is expected to keep him out for at least a significant portion of the 2026 regular season.
It is difficult to identify an offensive player Washington could less afford to lose.
Laremy Tunsil was supposed to be the unquestioned anchor of the Commanders’ offensive line and the player Washington trusted to protect Jayden Daniels’ blindside. Instead, the Commanders suddenly have to answer one of the biggest questions on their roster before their Week 1 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Who is next in line?
Laremy Tunsil Injury Pushes the Drawing Board for Washington
Laremy Tunsil is not just a regular dude in the National Football League.
The Commanders acquired one of the NFL’s premier pass protectors specifically to provide Daniels with security on his blindside and stabilize an offensive line that had been searching for a long-term answer at left tackle.
Daniels’ mobility can occasionally erase protection mistakes. He can escape pressure, extend plays and create opportunities outside of structure better than most quarterbacks.
However, after a tumultuous 2025 season, Washington cannot make that the foundation of its offense.
The Commanders need Daniels operating comfortably from the pocket, attacking defenses downfield and taking advantage of the weapons Washington has assembled around him.
Here are some players and options that could help weather the storm.
Brandon Coleman Could Get Another Chance
The most natural internal option may be Brandon Coleman.
General manager Adam Peters invested the No. 67 overall pick in Coleman during the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, believing his combination of quick feet, length, size and athletic ability gave him the tools to develop at tackle. Washington remains high on those athletic traits and Coleman’s ability to play multiple positions.
Coleman already has significant experience at left tackle from his rookie season, with 12 starts. His PFF numbers have shown an offensive lineman who is still developing but has flashed enough ability to warrant another opportunity. In 2025, Coleman finished with a 64.6 overall PFF grade, 60.9 pass-blocking grade, and 69.0 run-blocking grade over 390 offensive snaps.
For this Offseason and the time of Training Camp, Coleman is competing with Chris Paul for the starting left guard position.
Tunsil’s injury could now end that competition by necessity.
Moving Coleman outside would allow Washington to lean on a player the Peters regime drafted and remains high on athletically. Still, it would also remove one of Paul’s primary competitors at left guard.
There is a crowd that will shout to move last year’s first-round pick Josh Conerly to the left side; however, it could lead to more holes and changing of the guards along the front.
That is the first example of the domino effect created by losing Tunsil.
Andrew Wylie Provides an Experienced Alternative But There is Pause
Another option is Andrew Wylie.
Wylie stepped into the left tackle spot immediately following Tunsil’s injury during practice, making him an obvious candidate from the witnessing eyes while Washington determines its long-term plan.
Andrew Wylie signed a two-year extension with the Commanders to provide depth along the o-line for these moments.
He has played plenty of meaningful NFL football and gives Washington another veteran who understands how to prepare and handle different responsibilities across an offensive line.
The concern, however, is consistency.
Wylie has shown his fair share of struggles when being put in one-on-one situations against premier pass-rushers. His two years starting from 2023-24 are the clear evaluation you need to compare Laremy Tunsil to Andrew Wylie.
Most of Wylie’s NFL experience has come on the right side of the offensive line rather than at left tackle. Asking him to suddenly become Daniels’ full-time blindside protector would be a significant adjustment.
For a temporary answer, Washington may be comfortable with that.
For most of a season?
That becomes a much bigger decision, and many people will pray for the better.
Should the Commanders Call Taylor Decker?
Many Washington fans are begging on social media that the team should also explore the veteran market.
The most intriguing name is Former Detroit Lions Taylor Decker.
The Detroit Lions granted Decker his release in March after 10 seasons with the organization. Unlike Washington’s internal candidates, Decker has extensive experience playing the exact position the Commanders now need to replace.
He also played in a similar scheme that new head coach David Blough (former teammate) will be implementing in the nation’s capital.
Adding his services would benefit in many ways. It would help Washington avoid moving Coleman away from guard or asking Wylie to become something he has rarely been, and instead keep him as a swing lineman.
There still would obviously be questions.
At 32 years old, Decker would be a short-term solution. But he also suffered a large number of injuries, and Washington would also need to determine his physical condition, contract demands, and manage his health for the remainder of the season.
The Commanders need someone who could stabilize the position until their Pro Bowl tackle potentially returns.
That makes an experienced veteran worth exploring.
Washington Still Has a Problem at Center
What makes Laremy Tunsil’s injury even more concerning is that left tackle was not Washington’s only unresolved offensive line position.
The Commanders are still trying to find an answer at center.
Nick Allegretti has received opportunities there despite having limited experience at the position, and his calf injury has interrupted valuable developmental reps.
Center is already a difficult position to learn.
The player is responsible for identifying fronts, helping set protections, communicating with the quarterback, and coordinating everything happening along the interior.
Now Washington could be breaking in a new center while simultaneously trying to replace an elite left tackle.
That is not ideal for any quarterback and a new look.
It becomes especially concerning when Washington’s entire offensive trajectory revolves around Daniels, the skill position, and most importantly, blocking and communication.
The Commanders originally hoped training camp would determine their best combination along the interior.
Tunsil’s injury potentially changes the equation.
If Coleman moves from the left guard competition to left tackle, Paul becomes the obvious favorite inside.
If Wylie moves to left tackle, Washington loses one of its most experienced depth options.
If Washington signs someone externally, the organization has to integrate another offensive lineman into a new offensive system quickly.
Every option comes with potential consequences somewhere else.
How David Blough Can Adjust Without Laremy Tunsil
Finding Tunsil’s replacement is Adam Peters and Dan Quinn’s responsibility.
Making life easier for that replacement falls heavily on David Blough.
Losing an elite left tackle does not mean Washington has to abandon its offensive identity. However, Blough may have to adjust how the Commanders create favorable situations for Daniels and an offensive line that could be unsettled at both left tackle and center.
As a first time play-caller, Blough is going to have to make things shake with the tools at his arsenal.
If Washington drops Daniels back from the same spot repeatedly, opponents will identify the weakest link and attack it.
Blough has to make that more easy and smooth to cover for the Laremy Tunsil being out.
Blough should rely on running the football, quick game/use screens, move Daniels and change the launch point and of course, slide the protection.
Give the left tackle help when necessary.
None of those concepts individually replaces what Laremy Tunsil provides. Together, however, they can prevent one injury from completely dictating how Washington plays offense.
There will still be moments when Coleman, Wylie or another replacement has to survive one-on-one.
That is unavoidable in the NFL, obviously.
The goal for Blough should be making sure Washington doesn’t ask that player to be a one-person army.
The Commanders may no longer have the luxury of expecting their left tackle to erase the opponent’s best edge rusher consistently.
Now Blough has to help manufacture that protection through scheme.
Washington’s Offensive Line Is Suddenly One of Its Biggest Storylines
Before Saturday, the Commanders’ biggest offensive line discussion involved finding an answer at center and determining whether Coleman or Paul would emerge at left guard.
Now everything has started to kick it up a notch.
Washington has no choice but to find an answer at Left Tackle.
The question at center will remain as long as Allegretti is still dealing with an aching calf.
Whether it is internal or outside the organization, Tunsil’s injury will factor in.
Will it make them worse? No
Will it be a tall task to fill? Yes
The NFL is always going to have the next man up mentality, and it doesn’t stop now.
