Out of all the injuries the Washington Commanders suffered during their disastrous 2025 campaign, the one that had the most overlooked impact in sinking their season was to edge rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr.
And he's starting off the ensuing season having to play catch-up.
Washington was 3-2 after five contests in 2025. Armstrong was having the best season of his career, performing as the team's top defensive player with 5.5 sacks. Unfortunately, he got dinged up against the Chicago Bears and then tore his ACL the following week against the Dallas Cowboys, his former club.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. must pick up where he left off in Commanders contract year
Without him, the Commanders won two more games.
The NFL is a cruel world, and Armstrong enters this season in an entirely different position. It's one he's going to need to dig his way out of if he wants to save his future in Washington.
General manager Adam Peters alluded to some potential contract extensions being in the works. The obvious name in that regard is quarterback Jayden Daniels, who'll be eligible after this season. Armstrong is also in a contract year, and given his production in 2025, he has to be in consideration for a new deal.
However, he'll have work to do.
Armstrong was out of commission for most of the summer as he recovered from his knee injury. He'll also miss Washington's opening contest against the Philadelphia Eagles under suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy, a decision stemming from an assault incident in May 2025.
Even when Armstrong does return to the lineup, he might be buried on the depth chart as the Commanders signed Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson to start on the edge. The former Kansas Jayhawk is set to be a reserve, assuming both players ahead of him are back to full health after missing time during training camp.
There's a world where Armstrong is a complete non-factor this year, making the Commanders' decision to move on an easy one. But if he is back in peak condition and able to quickly adjust to his role in Daronte Jones' new 3-4 scheme, he'll have a chance to pick up where he left off.
And after being largely forgotten, Armstrong is not lacking in any motivation.
Many seem to be writing Armstrong off, but it's easy to forget how good he was a season ago. It's still a very real possibility that even after the additions of Chaisson and Oweh, he might be Washington's best pass-rusher.
Commanders fans will have to hope for the best possible outcome with Armstrong after his tumultuous offseason. He has all the reasons in the world to remind the NFL world what he's capable of; it's just a matter of what types of opportunities he gets and what the edge threat can do with them.
Armstrong's whole future is at stake this year. We'll see how he responds.
Add us as a preferred source on Google