The Washington Commanders are increasingly optimistic about Terry McLaurin’s recovery from a right quadriceps injury.
Friday reports indicate that the wide receiver is ready to return to the field for the Week 8 Monday Night Football matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
McLaurin Says He’s Ready To Face the Chiefs
According to an interview conducted by NBC’s JP Finlay, McLaurin insists he is fit to return against the Chiefs on MNF after missing four games.
Prior to this current absence, McLaurin had missed only three games in his NFL career (all in 2020).
Terry McLaurin ready to roll Monday night. Says “I feel like myself” but that the missed time has been challenging pic.twitter.com/sIR9FpH1ih
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 24, 2025
McLaurin suffered an injury to his right quadriceps, a muscle contusion that has been limiting his ability to accelerate and change direction. Since the injury occurred in Week 3, McLaurin had been held back from full practices until this week.
However, McLaurin practiced without restriction both Thursday and Friday, seemingly teeing him up for a return to action Monday night.
McLaurin caught 10 of 17 targets for 149 yards before his injury this season, but he’s still searching for his first touchdown. Considering the 3-4 Commanders can ill afford another defeat, McLaurin’s return will be celebrated by the fans who have grown frustrated with a series of injuries at wide receiver.
Notably, Deebo Samuel, who’d helped make up for McLaurin’s absence, also missed Week 7 due to a heel injury but is likewise trending up to return Monday night against Kansas City.
McLaurin’s Presence Is Key for Commanders on MNF
McLaurin is considered by many fans to be the pillar of the Commanders’ passing game due to his reliable routes and hands. The veteran has the ability to identify coverage before the snap and adjust his route in sync with the quarterback, a skill that’s naturally highly valued.
McLaurin’s versatility within the wide-receiver corps is also valued and enhances Washington’s air attack. His downfield speed is an additional asset, as it opens up opportunities underneath for other players like Samuel and tight end Zach Ertz.
McLaurin’s absence has partly led to the Commanders (who currently rank No. 7 in the PFSN Offense Impact metric with a 82.9 OFFi) being less efficient on third downs, as it’s forced the offense to rely more on the ground game or short passes.
The Commanders (3-4) are currently in third place in the NFC East behind the Dallas Cowboys (3-3-1) and Philadelphia Eagles (5-2). Another loss will likely make it that much more difficult to catch the Eagles during the remainder of the regular season.
