It's been a demoralizing season for the Washington Commanders and their expectant fan base. Although head coach Dan Quinn is not looking for excuses, the injury problems that have plagued the franchise are clearly holding them back.
The roster, which was already lacking in key areas, is being stretched to the limit. Washington has already ruled out quarterback Jayden Daniels for Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, which is his third absence of the campaign and only diminishes the chances of securing an upset victory over the AFC powerhouse.
There is another problem that is going under the radar in comparison. However, it's left the Commanders running on fumes within a position group that had severe concerns heading into the campaign.
Commanders have no cards left to play after Dorance Armstrong Jr. injury
Dorance Armstrong Jr. was in the midst of a breakout season. He was among the NFL's sack leaders, improving his ability to finish plays and emerging as a potential franchise cornerstone for this team to depend upon long-term. Unfortunately for the player and the Commanders, this positivity evaporated almost as quickly as it arrived.
Armstrong went down after a few snaps against the Dallas Cowboys, and the concerns were immediate. Quinn later revealed that the serious knee injury sustained was season-ending, leaving the coach and general manager, Adam Peters, with another potential pivot.
The Commanders have Jacob Martin, Von Miller, and Preston Smith on the edge. Fans are clamoring for another bold trade to salvage the season, but re-signing Jalyn Holmes is all Washington has done to fill the void left by Armstrong.
Something else might arise in the coming days, but fans shouldn't count on it. Peters has no cards left to play, unless he gives up even more draft capital. Considering the Commanders are currently at 3-4 with some tough challenges upcoming, standing pat and hoping for the best might be the only option left.
Joe Whitt Jr. could move Frankie Luvu into a more permanent edge-rushing role. They could place Javon Kinlaw or Johnny Newton more as defensive ends. Perhaps one of Martin, Miller, Holmes, or Smith can make a bigger contribution than anticipated. But of all the injury disasters Washington has had to deal with through the first seven weeks of the season, Armstrong's complication could be among the most sorely felt.
Quinn and his staff have to get on with it. They must try to find solutions to these constant issues. If they don't, a campaign that promised so much will go completely off the rails.
And that's not going to be a good look for anybody.