Deebo Samuel Sr. is in his first season with the Washington Commanders after being acquired in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers. The move has paid off early for Washington, as Samuel has quickly emerged as rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ most dependable target. He currently leads the team in receiving yards heading into Week 8.
However, Samuel was sidelined during the Commanders’ Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys after battling through a bruised heel for several games. With Washington set to face the Kansas City Chiefs, fans are eager to know whether their top receiver will be back on the field.
Will Deebo Samuel Sr. Play in Week 8?
The Commanders’ receiving corps has been hit hard by injuries this season, with both Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown missing multiple weeks. Until recently, Samuel had been the lone constant, appearing in every game, but that streak ended when he was sidelined in Week 7 against the Cowboys.
His injury issues first surfaced ahead of Week 5, when he missed the team’s opening practices before ultimately suiting up and performing well against the Los Angeles Chargers. He then played through the bruised heel for two straight weeks, though his mobility appeared limited.
By Week 7, the Commanders opted for caution, ruling the South Carolina-born WR out against the Cowboys, marking his first missed game of the season. Now, as Washington prepares for a Monday Night Football matchup against the Chiefs, the outlook is more optimistic.
“The plan is to have full weeks of practice for them,” head coach Dan Quinn said on SiriusXM’s “Movin’ The Chains” podcast about both Samuel and Terry McLaurin.
Samuel returned to practice on Thursday, and as of now, is on track to play against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football.
The heel bruise is now considered a matter of pain tolerance rather than structural damage, with rest being the key to a full recovery. The organization hopes that one week off will be enough for the injury to heal properly and for Samuel to move past the issue heading into the second half of the season.
After getting that week of rest, head coach Dan Quinn and the Commanders were optimistic that Samuel could practice in full on Thursday.
Currently leading the Commanders with 34 receptions for 315 yards and four total touchdowns, Samuel is ranked 21st in PFSN’s WR Impact metric. If both he and McLaurin can return on Monday, Washington’s passing attack would receive a major boost, and with it, a legitimate shot at upsetting the Chiefs at home.
