Already without a couple of key offensive players heading into their 2026 regular-season opener this past Sunday night against the rival New York Giants, those being starting left guard Tyler Smith (thumb) and backup running back Malik Davis (hip), the Dallas Cowboys will seemingly now also be down a pair of defensive starters for their Week 2 matchup with the Washington Commanders.
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who looked downright dreadful in the 28-20 defeat to Big Blue, sustained a right hamstring injury, and while the 26-year-old is still listed as questionable at the time of this writing, he's expected to miss at least one to two weeks of action.
Starting free safety Malik Hooker, meanwhile, suffered a fracture in his right forearm, and while it did require surgery, which he underwent on Tuesday, the 11th-year veteran will not go on injured reserve, and Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer is hopeful he can return in a few weeks.
But Dallas certainly won't be only banged-up team in this matchup, as Dan Quinn saw several of his Commanders exit the team's Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Commanders could be without LB Frankie Luvu vs. the Cowboys in Week 2
A clean injury report doesn't look to be in the cards for Quinn this week, as starting linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin), who recorded a sack on Jalen Hurts in the loss, starting tight end Chig Ogonkwo (hamstring), who tallied two receptions for 16 yards, backup linebacker Jordan Magee (hamstring), and backup strong safety and standout special-teamer Tyler Owens (ankle) were all knocked out of the game at one point or another.
Speaking with the media on Monday, Quinn gave the cookie-cutter answer when asked about the status of these players, saying he'd know more later in the week.
"So, the four of them, Frankie had a groin, and Chig and Jordan both had hamstrings, and Tyler had an ankle,” Quinn said. "I’ll have a better update Wednesday as to where they’re at. For the soft-tissue ones, we’ll need a day or two more with that. And then Tyler, if he can see how quickly he can turn around with his ankle. So I’ll have a better update for you, like who would be available for the game once I can see who can get into some practice work."
While not every player who suffers a hamstring injury misses time, it's safe to say that the majority of those who do sit out one week, which is obviously bad news for Luvu, Ogonkwo, and Magee. Thankfully for Quinn, he's got plenty of depth at linebacker if Luvu and Magee can't go, but that will put some extra strain on Leo Chenal and Sonny Styles.
Frankie Luvu and Chig Ogonkwo would be big losses for Washington
If Ogonkwo sits against the Cowboys, John Bates, who caught two passes for 13 yards would seemingly get the start. Losing Tyler wouldn't be a big blow to the defense, but, as mentioned, he's a solid special teams player, so that unit will take a bit of a hit.
While Quinn downplayed the injuries in his presser, there are clearly concerns about availability, as, on Tuesday, the Commanders worked out edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr., linebacker Anfernee Orji, and tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, the last of whom spent time on the Cowboys' practice squad last season.
These obviously aren't high-profile players by any stretch of the imagination, but the fact that they were brought in at all certainly says something.
Speaking of former Cowboys, the Commanders do have some extra help coming this week, as Dorance Armstrong is set to play his first game in 11 months. The veteran edge rusher suffered a torn right ACL last October, oddly enough against Dallas, and missed Week 1 serving a suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. So, at least they've got some good news going on.
With each taking a loss within the division, this already feels like a must-win matchup for both the Cowboys and Commanders. And while we obviously don't know how things will play out, what we do seem to know is that neither club will be at full strength.
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