After an impressive 2024 season, expectations were high for the Washington Commanders. However, injuries have put a damper on the 2025 campaign as the offense has faced significant losses. While quarterback Jayden Daniels was able to return in Week 9, Washington faced another loss as second-year wide receiver Luke McCaffrey went down.
With the offense already down quite a few faces, here’s everything we know about the young wideout’s injury.
What Happened to Washington Commanders WR Luke McCaffrey?
2025 has not been easy for the Commanders so far. Daniels has missed three games this year, as well as losing running back Austin Ekeler for the year in Week 2. However, the Commanders have rolled with the punches the best they can, going 3-5 heading into Week 9.
Already without second-team All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin, the Commanders’ offensive options took another hit when McCaffrey went down with a shoulder injury on the opening kickoff of Washington’s Sunday Night Football matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Tough break. Luke McCaffrey’s ruled out with a shoulder injury early on 😔#Commanders #LukeMcCaffrey #NFL #InjuryUpdate pic.twitter.com/2yIUvs7pZ0
— Aggregate Sports (@AggregateSports) November 3, 2025
Given their absences on offense, McCaffrey has been the recipient of quite a few unexpected snaps. Through eight games, he has caught 11 of 15 targets for 203 yards and three touchdowns. His presence has been felt much earlier in the season than his rookie campaign a year ago, when he caught 18 passes for 168 yards through 17 games.
The Commanders selected McCaffrey in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 100th overall pick. Given that the Commanders are down both McLaurin and McCaffrey, Washington will have to dig deep on offense to fill the void.
The Commanders’ leading receiver, Deebo Samuel, is still out there, along with one of Daniels’ favorite targets in tight end Zach Ertz, but the losses are beginning to mount. 2025 rookie Jaylin Lane has been an enormous asset on special teams, but is the young wideout ready for consistent snaps on offense?
The Commanders also elevated recent signing Treylon Burks from the practice squad onto the active roster. The Tennessee Titans drafted Burks with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, several injuries derailed his time in Nashville as the Titans waived him in July of 2025. The opportunity with Washington opens another chapter in a relatively young career.
The Commanders’ offense will need someone to step up quickly, as they are trailing 21-0 in the second quarter against a dominant Seahawks offense. Based on PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, Seattle’s offense is ranked eighth in the league.