ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps in practice, will likely require surgery and will miss at least a significant portion of the regular season, a source told Mike Garafolo and Steve Wyche of the NFL Network.
It's a crucial blow to the Commanders' offense, costing the team a player considered one of the best at his position. The recovery time for such an injury is typically at least four months and as long as six or seven.
Tunsil was hurt in Saturday's practice in a one-on-one pass rush drill vs. Odafe Oweh. The linebacker started upfield then rushed inside and drove into Tunsil's upper body.
Tunsil immediately bent over in apparent pain and held his right side. He headed to the medical tent just off the field and then left the tent and went into the building for further evaluation.
Washington had signed Tunsil, a five-time Pro Bowler, to a two-year extension in the offseason, giving him $61.5 million in total guarantees. He became the first offensive lineman to receive a contract that averaged $30 million per season.
The 32-year-old Tunsil has long been considered one of the NFL's top tackles. He was the only Commander named in the top 10 heading into the 2026 season in ESPN's recent survey of coaches and executives.
Washington's camp had been a positive one coming off a 5-12 season, with players and coaches talking about increased energy and vibes. The Commanders signed receiver Stefon Diggs on Wednesday, filling another major hole.
But Tunsil's absence will be a major blow to the Commanders, who are trying to regain the positive trajectory from a 2024 season in which they reached the NFC Championship Game.
In the 2025 offseason, Washington traded four draft picks to Houston -- two each in '25 and '26 -- for Tunsil and a fourth-round pick. He started 14 games for the Commanders and became a mentor to right tackle Josh Conerly Jr., their first-round pick last year.
Conerly and fellow offensive lineman Brandon Coleman worked out with Tunsil at Auburn in the offseason.
The Commanders have veteran tackle Andrew Wylie, but the bulk of his career has been spent on the right side. He has played five snaps at left tackle since entering the league in 2017. He typically replaced Tunsil when he would miss a practice.
But Washington also has Coleman, who started 12 games at left tackle as a rookie in 2024 and three more last year when Tunsil was injured. Coleman has been competing with Chris Paul at left guard.