NFL Insider Floats Pro Bowler as Possible Commanders’ Laremy Tunsil Replacement

0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Washington Commanders were dealt a major blow just days into training camp when they found out they’d be without one of their top players for quite a while.

“Commanders HC Dan Quinn confirmed this morning that LT Laremy Tunsil will undergo surgery on his torn triceps,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday . “There will be a better sense on Tunsil’s injury timeline after the surgery is completed, but he is expected to miss significant time, if not the season.”

The typical recovery timeline for triceps surgery can range from 4-6 months for normal injuries and 6-12 months for severe cases, meaning the earliest Tunsil would likely return would be mid-December, though a more likely return would probably be near the end of January or beginning of February.

“It's always tough to talk about a player missing time, especially a great player like LT,” Quinn said , via ESPN. “Not only is he an unbelievable player, but he is an absolutely fantastic teammate. He'll be missed, and we certainly can't wait to get him back.”

The Commanders’ plan is to roll with former third-round pick Brandon Coleman in Tunsil’s place. The 25-year-old lineman, who played 242 offensive snaps at left tackle last season, allowing zero sacks, 11 pressures, and 10 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus, has an opportunity to establish himself as legit NFL starter.

But if the team wants to add more insurance, or if Washington isn’t sold on Coleman as a full-season starter, there is one free agent out there that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler thinks makes lots of sense.

“Free agent Taylor Decker has a connection with OC David Blough from Detroit days, but Washington will rely on OL depth to navigate Tunsil loss,” Fowler posted on X .

The 32-year-old Decker spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions.

He started 140 games in that time, allowing 4.2 sacks, 31.3 pressures, and 22 hurries per season in that span. A Pro Bowler in 2024, Decker could be a perfect one-season replacement for Tunsil while he recovers from major surgery.

With star quarterback Jayden Daniels coming off an injury plagued season, the Commanders can’t afford to take any chances with protecting his blind side.

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