One of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL season was the instant chemistry established between Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin and rookie QB Jayden Daniels. The duo fueled a surprisingly potent Commanders offense, giving fans high expectations for the 2025 season.
However, the 2024 second-team All-Pro has been relatively quiet for two weeks. What is going on with Washington’s WR1?
Is Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Playing?
Yes, Terry McLaurin is playing. He wasn’t on the injury report entering this week, and he didn’t get banged up against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 on Thursday Night Football. He was expected to get the full target share tonight, but he’s been off to a slow start, as he has caught just two passes for 18 yards on four targets.
The Commanders’ offense struggled mightily against the Packers’ suffocating defense in the first half, as linebacker Micah Parsons wreaked havoc across the field. This first down grab has been his only noteworthy moment of the night.
First down catch by Terry McLaurin on a underneath sit.
Washington hasn’t tested the Packers defense beyond 10~ yards yet and the Packers defense is playing accordingly.
Get vertical. Stretch the field.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/YgZje8vv4P
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) September 12, 2025
Despite the Commanders’ win in Week 1, McLaurin’s performance was underwhelming. He caught two of his four targets for 27 yards. The start is disappointing, especially after his success last season and his newly signed three-year, $96 million contract extension over the offseason.
While it didn’t stop the Commanders from beating the New York Giants in Week 1, Washington’s lack of offense in Week 2 is definitely making things tougher in this Thursday Night Football game against the Packers. For a team that made it all the way to the NFC Championship game last season, the slow start for the offense is concerning after the franchise loaded up on talent in the offseason.
Thankfully, offseason trade acquisition Deebo Samuel made an instant impact in Week 1, hauling in seven passes for 77 yards and punching in a 19-yard touchdown on the ground. However, the Commanders will need more from McLaurin if they can make the jump over the NFC’s top-tier talent like the Packers or Philadelphia Eagles.
According to PFSN’s Kyle Soppe, “Across the industry this week, I’ve seen analysts wondering aloud about whether this is now a WR1a/WR1b situation in Washington, and if you base it solely on Week 1 production, that seems like a best-case scenario for Terry McLaurin managers.
“I don’t doubt that the year-end numbers will still be there, but the fact that he didn’t see a target thrown less than nine yards downfield on Sunday is a red flag.
“But do I think his spot at the top of this depth chart is in question? I don’t. While the gap has narrowed, I still feel good about the hierarchy in Washington.”
Thankfully, it is very early in the season for Washington, and the offense has plenty of time to get things back on track. But the slow starts will not help, and Washington will need someone to break through. Hopefully, McLaurin can be that guy.
