With star left tackle Laremy Tunsil now sidelined for an extended portion of the 2026 regular season, where do the Washington Commanders turn to at left tackle?
In what felt like an end to the week that offered a chance to build momentum heading into preseason, the Washington Commanders were dealt maybe one of the biggest possible blows on Saturday night with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil sidelined for a "significant portion" of the upcoming season -- potentially season-ending -- due to a torn tricep.
After going down in one-on-ones against Odafe Oweh during Saturday's practice, Tunsil was seen heading into the medical tent before then heading back into the facility with a question when fans will be able to see him back on the field once again. For a Commanders team that was viewed to begin putting the pieces together with Stefon Diggs filling, at the time, the final question along the roster, now there's a pause. The offensive line went from a position of strength to a question mark even prior to the first joint practice.
Tunsil's injury also came just hours after head coach Dan Quinn noted it may be another week until the status of either Nick Allegretti or John Bates becomes clear. Whether there's a true reliable option at center not named Allegretti remains to be seen as Julian Good-Jones has been seen taking snaps with the first team as rookie Matt Gulbin rounds out the room that also added a pair of free agents over the last week in Daniel Brunskill and Trey Hill. Yet with a chance that Allegretti makes his return prior to week one, it's left tackle that draws more concern -- and it isn't close.
Filling Tunsil's shoes is near-impossible given he's consistently remained one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL despite entering the season 32 years old, carving out a true first hurdle for first-year offensive coordinator David Blough to work through. But the best path forward may be an internal position switch.
Brandon Coleman has been battling Chris Paul for the starting job at left guard and even after he was seen taking snaps at center following last week's practice, head coach Dan Quinn reconfirmed that Coleman is being evaluated as a guard ahead of the regular season. Yet it's Coleman who offers the most experience on the left side of the line, and when Tunsil was unavailable for the final two weeks of the 2025 season, it was Coleman who stepped in as the starting left tackle.
The former second round pick enters year three having started in 17 games across 28 appearances over the last two seasons, including zero sacks and 11 pressures allowed over his 12 appearances in 2025. Coleman also did that after an impressive rookie season after showcasing his athleticism as an NFL Draft prospect given his 4.99 second 40 yard dash time marked the fifth-fastest among all offensive linemen at the combine.
Yet when Tunsil went down on Saturday, it was Andrew Wylie who stepped in. The former reserve lineman re-signed with the team on a two-year deal this offseason where he offers the most experience across the offensive line given he's started in 93 games across his 116 appearances and eight NFL seasons, but that's also come at numerous positions. The caveat -- left tackle isn't a position Wylie has played a snap. Whether the Commanders ultimately turn to a position flip while letting the left guard battle play out will be a question that could play out in the coming days, but Wylie serves as maybe the more complex and uncertain option.
Of course, given the Commanders have turned to several free agents to round out depth in training camp in the trenches, could another be an option?
Former Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker became a free agent for the first time in his NFL career after closing the book on a horrid 2025 season. Yet that also marked an outlier for the 32 year old veteran, who has started over 140 games during his ten year career with the Lions. There's also a scheme fit given Decker excelled under in the zone blocking schemes employed by former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has been a source of inspiration for Blough's expected offense. With financial flexibility still available, the Commanders could have a viable outside option to turn to with another position battle brewing.
Washington will also get a chance to test their unit and evaluate their options with the shift to preseason beginning this week as the Miami Dolphins head to Ashburn for a joint practice on Wednesday prior to the first preseason game on Friday night.
