Commanders visit Cowboys seeking first win, with Luvu and Okonkwo out

Updated Sunday, September 20, 2026.

Washington heads to Dallas on Sunday looking for its first win, but the Commanders will have to do it without linebacker Frankie Luvu and tight end Chig Okonkwo.

The NFC East rivals meet at 4:25 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with FOX carrying the game. Both teams are 0-1 after division losses: Washington fell 24-22 at Philadelphia, while Dallas lost 28-20 to the New York Giants. Game information.

For the Commanders, it's another chance to turn a competitive road game into a win before returning home to face Seattle next week. Starting 0-2 would leave Washington trying to recover from two losses inside the division.

Washington ruled out Luvu and Okonkwo on Friday. Luvu's absence removes a pressure threat from the defense, while losing Okonkwo reduces the offense's options at tight end. John Bates is among the alternatives available to quarterback Jayden Daniels. How Washington adjusts its personnel around those absences will be worth watching from the opening series. Washington's injury update.

The defense does get Dorance Armstrong back. Washington added him to the roster Tuesday after he served a one-game suspension in the opener. His return against his former team also follows the knee injury that ended his 2025 season.

"I'm blessed to be back in this position," Armstrong said in comments published by Commanders.com on Thursday.

Armstrong gives Washington another option to attack Dak Prescott, but the larger test is whether that pressure ends drives. With Luvu unavailable, the Commanders need their remaining rushers to make Prescott uncomfortable without leaving easy completions behind them.

On the other side, Dallas is still trying to settle into new defensive coordinator Christian Parker's scheme. The Cowboys allowed Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart to throw for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the opener. Dart also ran for 54 yards, while Cam Skattebo added 81 rushing yards and a touchdown. Dallas' Week 1 recap.

That gives Washington a clear area to test. Daniels' ability to extend a play could force Dallas to defend beyond the initial coverage, while a productive running game would help the Commanders avoid relying on long-yardage conversions. One game doesn't establish what this Cowboys defense will become, but Washington should make it prove it can contain a mobile quarterback.

For Washington, the opportunity is straightforward: get back to .500 with a road division win. Doing so will require contributions from a reshuffled lineup and an offense that makes Dallas pay when plays stay alive.