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The Washington Commanders’ season went from bad to worse after Sunday’s 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Not only did quarterback Jayden Daniels leave the game with a hamstring injury, but the defense also suffered another devastating blow. Defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. sustained a significant knee injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season, further thinning an already depleted Commanders defensive line. Dorance Armstrong Jr. Out for the Season With Knee Injury The Commanders confirmed that Armstrong Jr. will miss the rest of the 2025 season after suffering a knee injury against his former team. The 27-year-old pass rusher, who joined Washington in the offseason, had already been dealing with a nagging hamstring issue heading into the matchup. Head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged before the game that Armstrong was battling through the pain to play. “I think there’s always concern in and out, and he kind of showed me, ‘I’m going to battle through it to go,’” Quinn told reporters, according to Sports Illustrated. “We won’t really hit our speed stuff until tomorrow, so I think he’ll have a better shot. He’s able to do the walks and that kind of stuff today. So, I’m encouraged by that.” Unfortunately, the injury turned out to be far worse than expected. With Armstrong out, Washington’s defense faces a serious depth issue. The Commanders already lost Deatrich Wise Jr. for the season back in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, while Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Drake Jackson remain on injured reserve. The team will now look to veteran Preston Smith and edge rusher Jacob Martin to fill the void, and they’re also expected to explore outside signings ahead of the November 4 trade deadline. “This is a tough one,” one team insider told ESPN. “You can’t replace Armstrong’s energy or production that easily.” Jayden Daniels Injury Update Provides a Glimmer of Hope Adding to the team’s frustration, second-year quarterback Daniels left the game in the third quarter after Cowboys linebacker Shemar James sacked him awkwardly, twisting his leg. Daniels limped off the field with assistance and was replaced by veteran backup Marcus Mariota. Washington’s medical staff quickly evaluated Daniels in the blue medical tent before sending him to the locker room for further testing. He was later ruled out for the remainder of the game. Quinn said Daniels would undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. “He wanted to go back in,” Quinn said. “We’ll see what the MRI says.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared a more encouraging update on “Good Morning Football,” saying the injury didn’t appear to be as serious as feared. “It didn’t seem like a major, major injury,” Rapoport said. “The fact that the Washington Commanders have an extra day this coming week does give him a little more breathing room.”
