Commanders suffer blow with Luvu, Okonkwo out against Cowboys

Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Commanders suffer blow with Frankie Luvu, Chig Okonkwo out against Cowboys

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Sep 18, 2026 2:03 PM ET

The Washington Commanders shocked many people in Week 1 by hanging around and nearly knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles.

Part of that was due to an excellent defensive performance by Washington and linebacker Frankie Luvu. Luvu did not start the second half on the field, as he was dealing with a groin injury that caused him to miss not only the entire second half of Week 1, but now all of Week 2 as well.

Frankie Luvu has been ruled out on Sunday

According to Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, Luvu has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Luvu isn't the only starter who has been ruled out, either, as Washington will be without a key offensive playmaker.

According to Quinn, tight end Chig Okonkwo has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury. It will be the first time in Okonkwo's five-year career that he's missed a game. Okonkwo signed a three-year, $27 million contract with Washington in the offseason.

LB Frankie Luvu and TE Chig Okonkwo won't play Sunday, coach Dan Quinn said.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 18, 2026

Washington Commanders will need Sonny Styles to step up on defense

Luvu being out means that it will likely be rookie linebacker Sonny Styles wearing the green dot and calling plays for Washington. Styles stepped into the role in his NFL debut in Week 1 and had an extremely productive game.

Washington will need much of the same from Styles in Week 2 against a potent Dallas offense that didn't get quite off to the start it had hoped in Week 1.

Washington Commanders have plenty of offensive weapons

Despite the loss of Okonkwo, Washington still has plenty of capable options offensively. Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, John Bates and others are all still available for quarterback Jayden Daniels to throw to.

While the Commanders certainly want Okonkwo on the field, the offense should still be able to score points and hope to knock off Dallas and get to 1-1 on the season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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