Tunsil’s Injury Exposes the NFL’s Achilles’ Heel: Depth is a Luxury Few Teams Can Afford

The news of Laremy Tunsil’s triceps surgery and subsequent multi-month absence has sent shockwaves through the Washington Commanders organization. Coach Dan Quinn’s words of reassurance about the team’s plan to weather this storm are understandable, but they mask a harsh reality: in today’s NFL, depth is an unaffordable luxury for many teams.

The Commanders’ decision to start Brandon Coleman at left tackle, despite his limited experience as a starter, highlights the fragility of their roster. It’s not just Tunsil’s absence that’s problematic – it’s the fact that they’re counting on Coleman to carry the load without any obvious backup options in place. This trend is becoming increasingly common across the league: teams are relying on a handful of talented players to prop up entire units, rather than investing in true depth.

The NFL’s salary cap and free agency system exacerbate this problem. The allure of signing a star player like Tunsil – who commands an average annual salary of $30 million – makes it difficult for teams to allocate resources elsewhere. As a result, many rosters are top-heavy with few genuine backup options at key positions. When injuries inevitably occur, the consequences can be catastrophic.

The Commanders’ situation is particularly acute because they’ve been built around Tunsil’s talent and availability. His two-year extension was seen as a savvy move to lock up one of the league’s best tackles for an extended period. Now, with his injury casting a shadow over their season, Washington’s depth at left tackle has been exposed.

This is not just a problem for the Commanders – it’s a broader issue that affects many teams in similar ways. The NFL’s reliance on superstars and the corresponding lack of investment in supporting cast members creates an environment where injuries can have devastating consequences. Several top contenders face significant questions about their ability to withstand key losses, particularly with parity looming large for the 2026 season.

Quinn noted that Tunsil’s absence will indeed be felt, but it also presents a rare opportunity for the Commanders to re-evaluate their roster and prioritize true depth. Whether they’ll seize this moment remains to be seen – but one thing is clear: in today’s NFL, teams can no longer afford to take depth for granted.

The road to recovery for Tunsil will likely be long and arduous, with a typical timeline ranging from four to seven months. Coleman has shown promise as a starter, but his ability to sustain this level of performance over an extended period is uncertain. The Commanders’ decision to start him in place of Chris Paul at left guard underscores the precarious nature of their situation.

As the team waits for Tunsil’s return – and it’s now a significant “if” – one thing becomes increasingly clear: the NFL’s Achilles’ heel lies not with its stars, but with its supporting cast. The Commanders, and many other teams like them, are struggling to adapt to a reality where depth is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.