Commanders' offensive line operates with 'next-man-up' mentality

The Washington Commanders were hit with some terrible injury news over the weekend. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil went down with an injury that was later revealed to be a torn triceps muscle. The injury will require surgery, and Tunsil will miss the entire 2026 season. It’s been mere months since the Commanders made Tunsil the highest-paid tackle in the league, and now they’ll be without him.

In Tunsil’s place, the Commanders have tapped Brandon Coleman to cover Jayden Daniels’ blind side. There’s no question that Tunsil is one of the best blind-side blockers in the league, but Coleman has played the position before and isn’t a stranger to the role. After practice on Monday, reserve tackle Trent Scott was asked about the loss of Tunsil.

Trent Scott on the Laremy Tunsil injury and Brandon Coleman stepping in pic.twitter.com/R79Ol8yDYh

— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) August 10, 2026

“It’s tough, man,” Scott says. “You know, lead dog in the room, a guy that leads by example every day. How his process is, it’s tough to see a guy put all that work in and go down like that. But he’s a stud. I’m pretty sure he’s gonna attack rehab and probably be back sooner than he’s supposed to.”

Tunsil is one of those players who doesn’t just play at an elite level, but he has an elite process and is incredibly intentional about how he does things. His loss will hurt, but it also creates an opportunity for someone else to step up and show what they can do.

“It’s a next-man-up mentality in the whole room,” Scott continues. “And everybody is putting in that work and staying prepared for when their moment comes. And that’s just how this league is; that’s how the o-line room is, and everybody is preparing so if that moment ever comes, you’re ready. Right now, it’s BC going in, and he’s always been ready for that moment, so I’m pretty sure it’ll be good.”

Coleman was drafted by the Commanders in 2024. He’s a natural guard, but he played left tackle for an entire season at TCU, and he started 12 games at left tackle in 2024 for the Commanders. He also played three games at left tackle last season. While he’s not Laremy Tunsil, Coleman has enough experience and skill to ensure Daniels’ protection isn’t completely derailed by the loss of Tunsil.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ offensive line operates with ‘next-man-up’ mentality