The Commanders head into Sunday’s trip to AT&T Stadium with plenty on the line, and Dorance Armstrong Jr. adds another layer to a game that already carries extra weight. Both Washington and Dallas are 0-1, which makes this early NFC East matchup feel even sharper.
Armstrong knows the temperature of this rivalry better than most. He was a fourth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2018 and spent his first six NFL seasons in Dallas before Washington brought him in during 2024. His first year with the Commanders was quiet, but things changed after that: he was playing at a Pro Bowl level before tearing his ACL against the Cowboys last year.
Now he’s back after serving a one-week suspension, and the timing could hardly be more pointed.
Washington’s defense showed encouraging signs in Daronte Jones’ debut as coordinator in Week 1. The unit gave up some busted coverages in the secondary, but it also made Jalen Hurts uncomfortable and mostly kept Saquon Barkley contained aside from a 42-yard run.
That’s a decent starting point. Dallas is a different test entirely.
The Cowboys have handled Washington well lately, and last season they put up 74 points across the two meetings. That came against a Commanders defense that allowed more yards than any team in the league. This year’s group looks more dangerous on paper after changes to both the roster and the coaching staff, and Armstrong’s return gives them a familiar weapon in a game that already has plenty of emotion attached to it.
There’s also a practical side to this comeback. Armstrong is back as a reserve after Washington added Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson on the edge, and he’ll also work as a hybrid linebacker in Jones’ 3-4 scheme. After a limited offseason because of the injury and suspension, he’ll have to knock off some rust.
Washington may not push him into a heavy workload right away. A snap count would make sense, and expectations should be measured. He likely won’t match the double-digit-sack pace he had going before the injury, but the Commanders need him to be effective in the role he’s given.
That lighter load could actually help. It should keep Armstrong fresher and give Washington a chance to use him in the moments that matter most. Dan Quinn may also prefer to ease him back gradually, so there’s a real chance his impact is more subtle than flashy.
Still, one big play would go a long way. A sack would do nicely - especially if it serves as a reminder to Dallas that Dorance Armstrong Jr. is back.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Mike Sainristil Question They Cant Ignore
Mike Sainristil is already facing an early test of how the Commanders handle accountability under Dan Quinn. After Washingtons season-opening loss, Quinn publicly called out the young cornerbacks performance, and Sainristil responded by owning the mistakes and saying his focus is on getting better. For a defense that wants to establish a sharper edge, the issue is not just one rough outing, but how quickly the rookie can steady himself as the spotlight gets brighter.
Isaac Yiadoms arrival from the practice squad adds another layer to the conversation, because Washington now has more veteran depth in the secondary heading into its game against the Dallas Cowboys. The move does not settle the cornerback picture, but it does put a little more pressure on Sainristil to respond the right way. How Quinn and his staff sort out those snaps will be worth watching, especially this early in the season when every adjustment carries a little extra weight. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Need These Lineup Tweaks To Handle Dallas Better
The Commanders came out of their regular-season opener with enough encouraging moments to believe the roster can settle in quickly, but the 24-22 loss also exposed a few lineup spots that could use a closer look before the next meeting with Dallas. Washington has already spent time sorting through what worked, what didnt, and where injuries may force the coaching staff to look for more snaps from players who were on the fringe in Week 1.
Rasul Douglas, Antonio Williams, Ben Sinnott and Quan Martin all surfaced as possible beneficiaries if Washington decides to tweak roles heading into the Cowboys game. Those are the kinds of adjustments that can make a difference in a divisional matchup, especially when the margin for error is thin, but for now they remain ideas rather than confirmed changes as the Commanders weigh performance and availability against a Dallas opponent that will demand cleaner execution. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Defensive Depth Problem Before Dallas
With injuries thinning out the front seven, the Commanders had to dip into the practice squad for some immediate help ahead of Dallas. Washington signed defensive tackle Ricky Barber to the practice squad and elevated him right away for the matchup, a sign the team needs extra bodies up front as it tries to keep its defensive rotation intact.
Ale Kaho is coming up too, giving Washington another linebacker option while the group works through its health issues. Both moves are temporary, which keeps the roster flexible, but it also underscores how quickly the Commanders defensive depth has become a real concern heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight. [Read more 🡒]