Commanders dealt worst case scenario news that hurts Jayden Daniels before they even play a preseason game
The Commanders have been dealt an injury they might not be able to recover from during the 2026 season.
The Washington Commanders‘ 2026 outlook just took a significant hit.
Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil was hurt in practice on Friday and the team was left holding its breath on the outcome.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo, Tunsil suffered a torn triceps during a one-on-one pass rush drill at training camp on Saturday. He’s likely to require surgery and will miss at least a significant portion of the regular season. If not all of the regular season.
The timing could not be worse for a Commanders team looking to bounce back after a disappointing 5-12 season in 2025.
Tunsil injury is a blow to Washington’s bounce-back hopes
Washington’s first year with quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2024 was a revelation. The Commanders went 12-5 and were arguably a few plays away from reaching the Super Bowl. The 2025 season flipped that momentum on its head with a 5-12 record, but the front office responded with a strong offseason. Between the draft and free agency, Washington added pieces that made a return to contention feel realistic. The addition of wide receiver Stefon Diggs to shore up the receiving room was part of a larger push to build around Daniels and make a real run in 2026.
The Tunsil injury throws a potential wrench into those plans. The five-time Pro Bowler is the cornerstone of the Commanders’ offensive line, and losing him before the preseason even starts is a tough pill to swallow.
What do the Commanders do at left tackle now?
Washington will likely turn to Andrew Wylie as the replacement at left tackle. Recent draft pick Josh Conerly is set to handle the right tackle spot, and Brandon Coleman, who played left tackle for the Commanders last season, has already been moved to guard this offseason.
For a team that needs to prioritize protecting Daniels in 2026, this is close to a worst-case scenario. Tunsil’s torn triceps could keep him out the entire regular season, leaving Washington without its best pass protector for the duration of the year. There’s been no preseason football played yet. Just a few days of practice, and the Commanders have already been dealt a significant loss.
The coming weeks will tell a lot about how the Commanders adjust, but there’s no sugarcoating it. Losing Tunsil puts additional pressure on a lessened offensive line to hold up without its best player.
