ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore will miss his third consecutive game since being traded earlier this month, but coach Dan Quinn expressed optimism about when he might return.

Lattimore was ruled out for Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game between the Commanders (7-4) and Dallas Cowboys (3-7).

Washington acquired Lattimore and a fifth-round pick from the Saints on Nov. 5 for picks in the third, fourth and sixth rounds. At the time, Washington said the trade was about the future as much as this season. Lattimore is signed through 2026.

Lattimore has not played since suffering a hamstring injury Oct. 20.

Asked if he had optimism that Lattimore could return next week vs. Tennessee, Quinn said, "I do."

Lattimore has been sitting in on meetings and participating in walk-throughs. He has also worked on side fields during practice, performing drills to test his lateral movement -- and mimicking how a corner would react in coverage.

Washington has a bye following its Week 13 game vs. the Titans before playing at New Orleans on Dec. 22. Quinn said the team is not simply saving Lattimore until after the bye.

"It's really more when you're ready," Quinn said. "And if that was earlier than the bye, then that's when it would be.

"You've got to make sure these soft tissue injuries are strong, the quads, glutes, calves, hamstrings. And so, if it's fully healed and able to do all the things, the top speeds, then that would be the marker to go. But not until then."