The Washington Commanders head into Week 10 hoping to make a late playoff push. Terry McLaurin suffered a quad injury setback during Monday night’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs two weeks ago that has sidelined him once again. How long might fantasy football managers have to wait for McLaurin to return?
Terry McLaurin Injury Update
McLaurin originally sustained his quad injury with 4:47 remaining in the third quarter during the Washington Commanders’ Week 3 victory over Las Vegas. The injury occurred when he dove toward the end zone on what appeared to be a 57-yard touchdown before officials overturned the score upon review.
What started as a seemingly routine quadriceps strain turned into a prolonged absence after McLaurin consulted multiple medical specialists, including core muscle expert Dr. William Meyers. The involvement of such a specialized physician suggested the problem might be more complex than originally assessed.
McLaurin missed four consecutive games before making his return on Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs. He didn’t receive heavy volume with just four targets but was on the field and looking healthy for most of the contest. The veteran receiver had two really impressive sideline catches, including one for a touchdown that showcased his elite toe-tapping ability.
Unfortunately, McLaurin aggravated his quad in the second half during a diving catch and exited the game. When speaking to reporters afterward, he said he felt ‘alright’ but evidently that assessment was overly optimistic.
Head coach Dan Quinn ruled McLaurin out immediately on Wednesday for the team’s Week 9 game against the Seattle Seahawks. The speed with which McLaurin was ruled out suggested significant concern about the injury’s severity.
On Sunday, Ian Rapoport reported that McLaurin won’t play this week and is likely to miss the Commanders’ Week 11 game in Madrid as well. Washington has a Week 12 bye so the expectation should be that McLaurin returns in Week 13 if all goes well with his recovery.
McLaurin Fantasy Outlook
The quad injury has proven far more troublesome than initially anticipated for fantasy managers who have been without their WR2 for the majority of the season. McLaurin hadn’t missed a game in four consecutive seasons prior to Week 4, making his extended absence particularly concerning.
Through three games before the initial injury, McLaurin had managed 10 catches for 149 yards but had not yet recorded an end zone target while carrying his lowest on-field target share of his career. However, those numbers reflected early-season growing pains rather than any decline in McLaurin’s abilities.
His Monday night performance, despite being limited, showed he can still make elite-level catches when healthy. The touchdown grab demonstrated his impressive body control and awareness, reminding fantasy managers of what he can do when healthy.
The Commanders are so desperate at wide receiver that they not only signed Treylon Burks, but elevated him for Sunday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Deebo Samuel Sr. will continue operating as the primary receiving threat, with Luke McCaffrey, Chris Moore, and Jaylin Line providing support.
The earliest fantasy managers should realistically expect to see McLaurin again is Week 13, following the team’s bye week. This timeline would allow for proper healing of what has become a chronic issue that clearly requires extended rest rather than attempts to play through the discomfort.
Fantasy managers holding McLaurin should prepare for an extended absence and explore waiver wire options to fill the void. His talent remains elite when healthy, but this injury situation has become a season-long concern that shows no signs of quick resolution.