Washington Commanders backup shines after opportunity in Kansas City Chiefs game
KANSAS CITY â The Washington Commanders didnât just lose a game to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 28-7. They may have lost yet another starting player on their roster.
Entering the week, the Commanders had already lost north of 30 games’ worth of snaps from injured players who were expected to be major parts of the teamâs success in 2025.Â
From running back Austin Ekeler in Week 2 to quarterback Jayden Daniels, who missed two games earlier this season and was forced to sit out this weekend as well, and now Washington left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Sep 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Commanders offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) on the field during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
âI did see it was a hamstring injury, but I didn’t see the way he finished; it wasnât like he came out on the play,â Quinn said of Tunsilâs injury after the game. âYou could tell it bothered him on the one. He was working like hell to try to get back; thatâs no surprise. Heâs tough as hell.â
When Tunsil went out, Brandon Coleman went in. A third-round pick of the Commanders in last yearâs NFL Draft, Coleman began the year as the teamâs starting left guard before eventually losing a competition with Chris Paul for the job, and had been inactive every week starting in Week 3 until this weekend.Â
Good timing, too, because when Tunsil went down, Coleman was not only ready to step in, but eligible to do so.
âI’ve been there before last year, so I kind of just worked all week,â Coleman said of moving back out to tackle. âGot to go out there and play my game and just can’t lose that step.”
That desire to stay ready for anything the team might need from him drove Coleman to not only continue working on his interior offensive line skills, but also his abilities as a tackle, something that was also bolstered, he says, by getting tackle reps on the scout team as well.
âIt’s just also about polishing skills, you know what I mean? Obviously, I’ve been playing a lot of guard, so just making sure my tackle skills are up to date, just because you never know what happens… So just making sure I’m ready for anything.”
âBC [Brandon Coleman] came in and played well,â quarterback Marcus Mariota said after the game. âThatâs not an easy position to be in at any spot, regardless of the offensive line. When youâre playing a defensive front like this that creates movement, does a lot of games and twists, I thought he came in and held his own.â
Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, offensive tackle Brandon Coleman (74) and guard Sam Cosmi (76) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
In fact, Coleman played well, a big compliment considering just how much of a focal point you become when replacing a player of the caliber of Tunsil.
Another thing Coleman has experience with is Washington going through a three-game losing streak. Last year, it came more toward the middle of the season than this yearâs, but the team came out of it better than they were heading into it.Â
Perhaps, the Commanders can pull the same sort of butterfly emerging from a cocoon act this season. If so, Coleman says, itâs going to take every man on the roster. Something he learned in 2024 when that team went through the same battle.
âYou’ve got to stay together, man. You can’t start pointing fingers and separating… We win as a team, we lose as a team, and we’re going to address everything as a team… So we’re going to bounce back. I have no doubt about it.”Â
If the team has the ability to bounce back after being knocked down the way Coleman did on Monday night, then perhaps they have a chance to make good on the offensive linemanâs words.
READ MORE: Commanders fall apart in second half, lose vs. Chiefs on Monday Night Football
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