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Commanders Lose Two Starters for Week 2 at Cowboys

Injuries force Washington to reshuffle its thin roster, increasing Dallas’s advantage in a pivotal NFC East matchup.

Overview

  • Coach Dan Quinn confirmed Friday that tight end Chig Okonkwo is out with a hamstring injury and linebacker Frankie Luvu is out with a groin issue for Sunday’s game at AT&T Stadium.
  • The final injury report also lists DT Javon Kinlaw as questionable and several defensive linemen and edge players as limited, leaving Washington short on front‑seven depth.
  • With Okonkwo sidelined, John Bates and Ben Sinnott are expected to handle larger tight‑end duties and the team is publicly weighing short‑term options such as a reunion with veteran Zach Ertz if the need persists.
  • Washington’s revamped defense produced a very high pressure rate but allowed multiple explosive plays — four chunks that added up to 171 yards — in the Sept. 13 loss to Philadelphia, a vulnerability Dallas is likely to target.
  • The result carries early playoff consequences because a loss would drop the Commanders to 0-2 in the division, oddsmakers favor Dallas for the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on Fox, and Washington must manage lineup changes to protect Jayden Daniels and preserve its margin for error.