The Washington Commanders continue managing a complex injury situation with their star receiver following his exit two weeks ago. Terry McLaurin has been sidelined since suffering what was initially described as a quad injury, but the situation has proven more complicated than first believed. For fantasy football managers hoping for his return, what is the latest on his status?
Terry McLaurin Injury Update
McLaurin was hurt in Week 3 and initially the injury was described as a quad issue. However, the severity became more concerning when he sought consultation with a core muscle specialist, raising questions about the true nature of his condition.
Early concern over the severity was evident when head coach Dan Quinn had to make a point to say McLaurin wouldn’t go on injured reserve, suggesting the injury was serious enough that IR was being discussed internally. McLaurin did not practice at all last week and was ruled out for Week 4’s game against Atlanta.
Monday brought encouraging news when Quinn provided an update saying McLaurin was “trending up.” This represents a promising early report about his recovery progress and suggests his health is moving in the right direction.
Players like Terry McLaurin, John Bates and Noah Brown are all trending up, Quinn said. Still some work to do, but things are trending in the right direction
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) September 29, 2025
However, this positive development does not mean McLaurin is a lock to play in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The “trending up” comment suggests he is likely to return by Week 6 if not sooner, but his availability for this week remains uncertain.
Wednesday’s practice report will be key in determining his Week 5 status. Fantasy managers should look for McLaurin to participate in at least a limited session, which would indicate significant progress toward his return to game action.
McLaurin Fantasy Outlook
It’s hard to gauge the Commanders offense without Jayden Daniels, though the quarterback is expected back this week after missing Weeks 3 and 4 with his knee injury. His return should provide more clarity about the team’s offensive capabilities moving forward.
Deebo Samuel Sr. has emerged as the clear WR1 in Washington’s passing attack during McLaurin’s absence. The only other pass-catcher with any fantasy relevance is tight end Zach Ertz, who has maintained consistent target volume throughout the season.
There is no viable in-house replacement for McLaurin from a fantasy perspective. The depth receivers have not shown the ability to consistently produce fantasy-relevant numbers, making McLaurin’s absence a significant blow to the overall passing game production.
If McLaurin doesn’t play in Week 5, Samuel becomes a strong WR2 option with increased target share and red zone opportunities. However, Samuel has established himself as the better fantasy option regardless of McLaurin’s status, given his more consistent usage patterns and higher target volume.
Should McLaurin return for Week 5, he will be firmly in the WR3 discussion for fantasy purposes. With numerous injuries and bye weeks taking established receivers out of lineups across the league, McLaurin’s return would provide valuable depth for fantasy managers seeking reliable options.
The combination of his talent level and the Commanders’ need for receiving production makes McLaurin worth holding through his injury absence, as his return should restore fantasy relevance even if his role is initially limited.