Commanders Place Laremy Tunsil on IR

The Washington Commanders placed Laremy Tunsil on injured reserve on Monday, along with defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton. The official announcement also listed two corresponding signings: cornerback Fabian Moreau and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle.

Tunsil tore his triceps early in camp and will miss a significant portion of the 2026 season. Brandon Coleman is the left tackle now. That is the whole picture heading into a season that already asked Washington's offensive line to shuffle.

Why Tunsil is on IR

The club's roster breakdown said Tunsil tore his triceps and will be sidelined for at least a significant portion of 2026. Head coach Dan Quinn said in August that Tunsil would have surgery and that it was too early to guess a return date. Coleman, a 2024 third-round pick, has moved back to the spot he played as a rookie.

Offensive coordinator David Blough said the staff told Coleman he was going to be the left tackle and that Coleman "lit up" at the chance. "I think he has demonstrated everything that we're looking for to protect that side for us," Blough said. Josh Conerly remains the starting right tackle. D.J. Humphries is in the mix as tackle depth.

Newton's pec injury is a second hit

Newton had surgery Aug. 20 to repair a torn pectoral muscle, a source confirmed to ESPN. CBS Sports noted that an IR placement means he must miss at least the first four games before he can be activated. ESPN had Newton as part of the defensive line rotation behind Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw, with seven career sacks across 33 games and 13 starts in his first two seasons.

Tuttle's signing gives that room a veteran body while Newton rehabs. Moreau, who previously worked with defensive coordinator Daronte Jones in Minnesota, adds corner depth next to Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, and Rasul Douglas.

What it means for Week 1

The Commanders already used cutdown-day IR designations elsewhere, according to reporting around the 53-man roster. Monday's moves still park Tunsil and Newton until they can return later if the rehab allows it. For now, Coleman protects Jayden Daniels' blind side, and Washington's interior defensive line is thinner than it was in July.

NFL roster news keeps moving the same way it did when Seattle parked Zach Charbonnet on PUP. The names change. The calendar does not. Kickoff is next week, and Washington is opening it without its starting left tackle.