ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders have ruled out linebacker Frankie Luvu, and tight end Chig Okonkwo for Sunday's road game against Dallas, coach Dan Quinn said.
Luvu suffered a groin injury and Okonkwo suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's loss at Philadelphia. Neither player practiced this week, though both worked some with the athletic trainers on a separate field Friday.
Okonkwo's absence impacts the pass game, as Washington signed him in the offseason to be a potential explosive target -- especially when the Commanders use play-action. He caught two passes for 16 yards against the Eagles before leaving late in the third quarter.
Among replacements, John Bates is considered a strong blocker but has only 74 career receptions in 83 games, while Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff have a combined 18 receptions since entering the NFL in 2024.
The Commanders also could use heavy three-receiver sets; they used such looks on 71.6% of their plays vs. the Eagles.
Luvu served as the defensive playcaller against the Eagles, recording a sack in his two quarters of action. He has started 35 games since signing with the Commanders in the 2024 offseason.
Washington's defense under new coordinator Daronte Jones relies heavily on its linebackers to be blitzers and edge rushers. The Commanders like their depth at the position -- even with another inside linebacker, Jordan Magee, having been placed on injured reserve earlier in the week because of a hamstring injury.
The Commanders will start Leo Chenal, signed as a free agent this offseason, and rookie Sonny Styles, the seventh pick in this year's draft who sacked the Eagles' Jalen Hurts last week. Second-year Kain Medrano will be the third linebacker.