Cowboys catch a break ahead of their must

It's no secret that the Dallas Cowboys' defense has been one of the worst in the NFL through the first six weeks of this 2025 season, allowing the most total yards (411.7) and the second-most points (30.7) per game.

While the Cowboys have been bad against the run, ranking 29th in the league by allowing 142.2 yards per game on the ground (I guess Micah Parsons wasn't the real problem there), they've been even worse against the pass, giving up 269.5 yards per contest, ranking dead last in that regard by more than 10 yards over the 31st-place Pittsburgh Steelers (258.8).

With Dak Prescott and the offense doing their part to keep the Cowboys competitive, ranking first in total yards (387.5) and third in scoring (29.7), the Dallas defense desperately needs to step up, and that starts with this Sunday's nationally televised rivalry matchup with the Washington Commanders.

Matt Eberflus' unit, which will now be without cornerback Trevon Diggs after the two-time Pro Bowler suffered a mysterious concussion at his home on Thursday night, had already caught a couple of breaks, as the Commanders will be without Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown. And they've now caught another one, as it was reported on Saturday that Washington will also be without the services of Deebo Samuel.

The Cowboys will face a Commanders team that's now missing its top three wide receivers

With McLaurin sidelined with a quad injury since Week 4 and Brown out with a groin injury since Week 2, Samuel, who was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers via trade this past offseason, has undoubtedly done his best to fill the void, leading the team in targets (43), receptions (34), receiving yards (315), and tying for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (3).

The seventh-year veteran has been battling a bruised heel for the last two weeks, an injury he called "aggravating" on Friday, and it's obviously aggravating enough to keep him out of action on Sunday afternoon.

With Samuel, McLaurin, and Brown sidelined, the Commanders' top wide receiver now becomes Luke McCaffrey, who has just eight catches on the season. But don't let that little number fool you, as Christian's younger brother has gained 179 yards and scored three touchdowns on those eight grabs. The Cowboys' secondary has been susceptible to the deep ball all season long, so McCaffrey is certainly a threat.

On the depth chart behind McCaffrey are veteran Chris Moore and rookie Jaylin Lane. Washington has also elevated Robbie Chosen from the practice squad and may make another move before kickoff.

Jayden Daniels, who's obviously a threat on the ground, will undoubtedly use plenty of his passes on tight end Zach Ertz, who's had a solid campaign thus far with 20 catches for 192 yards with three touchdowns. And after seeing what Rico Dowdle did to the Cowboys last week, the Commanders could also rely heavily on running back Jacory Croskey-Merrritt to handle a big chunk of the offensive load.

All that said, however, the Commanders are certainly a weaker football team without Samuel on the field, and the Dallas defense needs to take advantage.

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