The Washington Commanders’ passing game has struggled to find its rhythm without one of its most important weapons.
As the team prepares for a critical Week 5 road matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, all eyes are on star wide receiver Terry McLaurin and whether he will be available to return to the lineup.
What is McLaurin’s Recovery Timeline and What Does It Mean for Week 5?
McLaurin has been sidelined since suffering a quad injury in the third quarter of the Commanders’ Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
What initially appeared to be a standard muscle issue became more concerning when, according to PFSN’s Jason Katz, McLaurin consulted a core muscle specialist. This step raised questions about the true nature of his condition.
Internal concern over the injury’s severity was evident. Katz noted that head coach Dan Quinn made it a point to clarify that McLaurin would not be placed on injured reserve, indicating the team had considered that option internally.
The decision not to place him on IR leaves open the possibility of a relatively quicker return, but it also reflects how significant the injury could have been.
McLaurin did not practice last week and was officially ruled out for the Commanders’ Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. However, Quinn offered a more optimistic outlook on Monday when he said McLaurin was “trending up.” This update is the most encouraging sign that the receiver is progressing toward a return.
Still, optimism does not guarantee immediate availability. Katz noted that Quinn’s “trending up” comment indicates a strong chance McLaurin will return to the field by Week 6 or possibly earlier. However, it still leaves plenty of doubt about whether he’ll be ready in time for Week 5.
Wednesday’s practice report is expected to be pivotal. If McLaurin participates, even in a limited capacity, it would signal a significant step forward and possibly set the stage for a return against the Chargers.
McLaurin’s importance to the Commanders’ offense is underscored by his individual impact metrics. According to PFSN’s WR Impact rankings, he currently sits at No. 44 among all wide receivers. That figure highlights his influence on the Commanders’ passing game and why his absence has been so noticeable over the last two weeks.
The Commanders are clearly preparing for all scenarios. With McLaurin and fellow veteran Noah Brown sidelined, general manager Adam Peters added veteran deep threat Robbie Chosen to the practice squad, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Veteran NFL WR Robbie Chosen is signing with the Washington Commanders practice squad. pic.twitter.com/rtbXxjGy4U
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 30, 2025
The move reflects the Commanders’ concern about its receiver depth and a desire to have contingency options in case McLaurin’s recovery takes longer.
For now, the Commanders will wait for the next round of medical evaluations and practice updates before making any decisions. McLaurin’s potential return could provide a much-needed spark to an offense that has struggled without him, but as of now, his Week 5 status remains one of Washington’s biggest question marks.
