Tunsil triceps tear sidelines Washington's $30 million tackle indefinitely

NFL offensive lineman salaries crossed a historic threshold in March, when Washington secured Laremy Tunsil on a two-year, $60.2 million extension that made him the first player at his position to earn $30 million per season. That milestone now comes with a complication. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday that Tunsil will be sidelined indefinitely after tearing his triceps in a training camp drill Saturday, with surgery required.

From the drill field to the operating room

The injury occurred during an individual rep against pass rusher Odafe Oweh. Tunsil went to a knee immediately after the play, spoke with Washington's training staff, and was brought inside the facility. Quinn gave no recovery timeline beyond "indefinitely." A torn triceps requiring surgery in a 32-year-old offensive lineman does not come with a reliable return window. Caution on that timeline is warranted. Certainty is not.

Tunsil's path to the top of the market

Drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 13th overall pick, Tunsil spent three seasons in Miami before a trade sent him to the Houston Texans in 2019, where he spent six years and earned five Pro Bowl selections. Washington acquired him ahead of last season, and he appeared in 14 games for the Commanders before the March extension established him as the market's highest-paid lineman. Quinn, before the injury surfaced, described Tunsil as "really on the top of his game right now, both in the run and pass."

The depth-chart answer

Washington is not going to the open market. Brandon Coleman, who started 12 games at left tackle as a 2024 rookie and added three starts at the position last season, steps into Tunsil's vacancy. Andrew Wylie remains in a backup swing-tackle role. Quinn consulted with general manager Adam Peters before confirming that the team does not expect to seek free-agent help. "He's put in an excellent offseason, and the team is very confident in him," Quinn said of Coleman.

What the contract commitment now means

Against the backdrop of a sector-wide run-up in offensive lineman salaries, Washington built in some protection by developing Coleman over two seasons. The $60.2 million, two-year commitment now runs against an indefinite gap at the game's most expensive position by individual contract. Quinn held no auction Monday. Coleman is the plan.