Washington's Linebacker Depth Is Thin Heading Into Dallas

Frankie Luvu's groin strain moves the linebacker situation from a concern to something closer to a genuine problem. The depth chart lists Leo Chenal, Austin Keys, and Sonny Styles at the position, but with Jordan Magee already on injured reserve and Luvu's availability for Week 2 uncertain, Washington could be leaning heavily on players who weren't expected to carry this kind of load this early.

Luvu was one of the more reliable pieces on last season's defense — 86 tackles and three sacks across 17 games — so his absence isn't a minor rotation question. The front seven has been eroding since camp. Jer'Zhan Newton is on IR with a torn pectoral, Deatrich Wise Jr. started the year on the PUP list, and now the linebacker corps is short-handed before a divisional road game. That's a lot of ground to cover against a Dallas offense that will test run fits early.

The names behind Luvu on the depth chart aren't unknown quantities, but none of them have been asked to anchor a game plan. My read is that the next 10 days are less about scheme and more about whether Washington can get Luvu to some level of availability, because the alternatives are thin and Dallas will find out quickly if they aren't.