Laremy Tunsil diagnosed with torn triceps, expected to miss most of the 2026 season as Commanders plan around a new left tackle situation

The Washington Commanders are working through a significant injury setback after CBS Sports reported that star left tackle Laremy Tunsil was diagnosed with a torn triceps following an injury during Saturday practice. The report, citing ESPN, indicates the injury will require surgery and is expected to force him to miss most of the 2026 season, potentially ending his year before meaningful regular-season progress can begin.

Tunsil plays a central role for any offense, and especially at the left tackle position where pass protection is tested early and often. A starting left tackle is typically the anchor for the protection plan, and losing that presence alters how a team builds its protection calls, adjusts matchups, and balances the run game. With Tunsil out, Washington’s staff will likely have to re-form its starting five and reshape its approach to both pass sets and movement in the pocket.

According to the CBS Sports report, the injury occurred during practice rather than in a game setting. That detail matters because it suggests the timetable and availability for the upcoming season will be determined by medical evaluation and surgical scheduling, not by performance-to-injury timelines that sometimes appear in-season. While the team will be monitoring Tunsil’s recovery, the diagnosis described in the report points toward a long absence.

The immediate consequence is depth and lineup decisions at the tackle spot. Even when teams have capable backups, a transition from the player who normally handles the most consistent edge-rushing threats to a replacement can require schematic and communication adjustments. Those changes are especially relevant early in the season because opposing defensive game planning often targets the most vulnerable point in pass protection.

Beyond the technical on-field factors, the injury carries roster-building implications. Over the course of a typical offseason and training camp, teams create continuity along the offensive line so that calls can be executed quickly and correctly. If Tunsil is out for most of the season, Washington will need to maintain that continuity without its usual left tackle, which can also influence how frequently the team leans on certain runs, how it designs play action, and how it manages quarterback protection calls under pressure.

The Commanders’ next steps will likely focus on medical updates and the practical question of who takes Tunsil’s place on the left side. With the report indicating surgery and a lengthy absence as the expectation, Washington’s focus in the coming weeks will be on stabilizing the offensive line, testing combinations, and identifying the most reliable option to protect the quarterback against top-level edge rushers.