Five Starters Down for Washington, Which Hasn't Found a Way to Win Anyway

Count them up and Washington will play Sunday without five starters. Right guard Sam Cosmi (concussion), tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) and linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) were ruled out Friday, joining quarterback Jayden Daniels (dislocated elbow) and safety Nick Cross, who spent a night in a Dallas hospital with an internal injury after last week's 37-20 loss.

The Commanders are 0-2 and have lost 12 of their last 14 dating to last season. Seattle comes to town.

Who fills in

Luvu called the defense before he got hurt. Rookie Sonny Styles took that over last week and will again, with Leo Chenal starting beside him. Quan Martin replaces Cross, a hard player to replace because he moves between linebacker, box safety and deep safety depending on the package.

Okonkwo was signed to stretch the field, so John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff will rotate at tight end, although Washington has been in three-receiver sets 67.9% of the time anyway. At guard, the Commanders could move Nick Allegretti over from center and put Lucas Patrick in the middle, or start Andrew Wylie.

Four more are on injured reserve: cornerback Trey Amos, linebacker Jordan Magee, defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. and running back Jeremy McNichols. The best news is that Daniels should be back soon, though nobody is saying exactly when.