Dorance Armstrong is out for Week 1. And this time, it's not his knee. The former Dallas Cowboys defensive end, who currently plays for the Washington Commanders, has been suspended without pay for the season opener for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

The ban starts Aug. 30. He's eligible to return Sept. 14.

The math on that is brutal for Washington. The Commanders open at Philadelphia, and they follow it up at Dallas in Week 2. Armstrong could be missing time for both games depending on how camp and reinstatement shake out.

“Armstrong was arrested on May 10, 2025, in Frisco, Texas, on two misdemeanor charges: a****** causing bodily injury and resisting arrest/search or transport,” John Kiem posted on an ESPN article on August 15. “He was on probation for nine months and received deferred adjudication in both cases.”

Before the suspension even hit, Armstrong's offseason was already complicated. He's still working back from a torn ACL suffered in Week 7 last season. He was Washington's sack leader at the time, 5.5 in the books before the injury ended his year early.

Camp didn't start well either. Armstrong opened on the PUP list. He wasn't activated until Aug. 7. Since then, it's been individual drills only, no full defense reps yet.

It remains to be seen if he can be ready after the suspension. In any case, the Commanders are ready for the season.

Washington Commanders ready with Armstrong’s replacement

Washington didn't sit on its hands waiting to see how this played out. The team signed Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency, both brought in for that exact kind of edge-rushing role. That depth now looks less like a luxury and more like a necessity.

Oweh was the marquee move. As per Sportrac, he landed a four-year, $96 million deal, $68 million guaranteed, with a $26 million signing bonus. The 28-year-old is coming off 7.5 sacks split between Baltimore and the Chargers in 2025, pushing his career total to 30.5.

Chaisson came in on a cheaper, higher-upside deal. One year, $11 million, with $10.3 million guaranteed. His 2025 breakout with the Patriots matched Oweh's production: 7.5 regular-season sacks, 71 combined tackles, and three more sacks added in the playoffs.

With Armstrong sidelined against Philadelphia, coach Dan Quinn hands the defensive front over to Oweh and Chaisson from day one. No easing in. No rotation to lean on.

Armstrong’s suspension didn't just cost Washington a body. It's an early spotlight on whether this offseason spending actually pays off.

Do you think Armstrong's absence changes how Washington's defense performs to open the season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Zaid Quraishi

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi