Laremy Tunsil Suffers Triceps Injury, Expected to Miss a Significant Portion of the Regular Season

The Washington Commanders took a hit on Saturday when left tackle Laremy Tunsil reportedly suffered a triceps injury during practice, with the team’s offensive front suddenly facing an extended absence. FOX Sports’ Mike Garafolo reported that the injury occurred during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills, and that Tunsil is expected to miss at least a significant portion of the regular season as he works through the problem.

According to the report, the triceps issue was more than a minor strain. Garafolo characterized it as a torn triceps, and indicated that Tunsil will likely require surgery. If that assessment holds, it means Washington must treat this as a timeline-impacting development rather than something that can be managed quickly with a short recovery.

Tunsil’s role is particularly important because the left tackle position is central to both pass protection and the overall rhythm of an NFL offense. The Commanders will have to adjust their protection calls and front-side mechanics without their regular starter, and any replacement will be immediately evaluated under the stresses of training-camp and preseason-style pass-rush looks.

The injury also forces Washington to think about depth and contingency plans sooner than they would like. When a starting tackle is removed in the middle of preparation, teams often rely on internal options, new alignments, and re-mapping of responsibilities across the line, including who handles speed rushers versus power rushers and how the group protects against stunts and pressure variations.

For Tunsil, the near-term focus is straightforward: turning a structural injury into functional strength. A torn triceps typically changes how a player generates force and stabilizes the upper body during blocks, which is why the report’s emphasis on likely surgery carries practical implications for when he can return to full-contact football.

Beyond the immediate roster stress, the Commanders now have one more variable to manage as the season approaches. Losing a starting left tackle this early shifts the team’s training-camp priorities, and it can also affect continuity, since offensive line cohesion depends on repeat reps, timing, and communication habits.

What to watch next is how Washington responds in practice: who takes Tunsil’s reps at left tackle, how long the replacement stays in the starting mix, and whether the coaching staff makes broader line changes to stabilize pass protection while Tunsil recovers. Until there is an official update on the injury and treatment plan, the Garafolo report remains the best available indicator of what kind of absence Washington should plan for.