One of the most important aspects of training camp for NFL teams is avoiding major injuries. It's almost impossible for all 32 franchises to come away unscathed, but the Washington Commanders have had a relatively clean bill of health so far to further raise encouragement heading into the new campaign.
However, that's not the case with one bitter division rival.
Stud right guard Sam Cosmi is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in Washington's memorable playoff win against the Detroit Lions. Head coach Dan Quinn didn't rule out the former second-round pick from participating in Week 1, but starting the campaign on the physically unable to perform list hasn't been dismissed either.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin is also on PUP right now, citing an ankle issue as a reason behind his lack of participation at training camp. However, fans are right to be skeptical given that the second-team All-Pro is currently embroiled in a contract dispute with the organization.
Commanders stay complication-free as Cowboys brace for possible injury crisis
Aside from that, it's all systems go for the rest. But that's not the case where the Dallas Cowboys are concerned.
They are dealing with some potentially grave injury problems. This all started when promising tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford went down at the start of training camp, and it only got worse from there.
There were grave concerns in Dallas when starting left tackle Tyler Guyton was carted off the practice field with a leg injury. Most Cowboys fans were expecting the worst, but the blindside enforcer is projected to miss anywhere between 4-to-6 weeks with a knee fracture after his ACL miraculously remained intact.
If that wasn't enough, the hits kept coming for the Cowboys when cornerback Caelen Carson also got a 4-to-6 week recovery timeline after hyperextending his knee. This depletes an already thin position group, with Trevon Diggs, Shavon Revel Jr., and Josh Butler all currently on the sidelines.
Injuries are nothing to be celebrated. They are an unfortunate part of the NFL's violent nature. But especially where Guyton is concerned, things could have been a lot worse.
That's of no concern to the Commanders. They surged ahead of the Cowboys last season and plan to stay there. And there is no doubt Quinn will want his old team at their best with no excuses as Washington looks to reaffirm its dominance after being second-best in this historic rivalry for years.
Looking at the way things are progressing at camp, the Commanders are more than capable of achieving this objective.