The Washington Commanders are officially putting star wide receiver Terry McLaurin on injured reserve, a move that confirms he will miss the rest of the season. This gut punch comes after McLaurin suffered a torn patellar tendon in their Week 6 loss to the 49ers, an injury that means his focus now shifts entirely to returning for the 2027 season.
A Crushing Blow To Washington’s Attack
This is a massive loss for Washington’s offense, losing a player of McLaurin’s caliber to such a severe injury. The team had kept him on the roster through their bye week, but as they got back to work on Wednesday, the decision to move him to IR was announced. McLaurin is a huge part of their passing game, and losing him for the entire year after a brutal Week 6 injury is going to test the depth of that receiving corps big time. You don’t just replace that kind of production overnight.
New Faces And Promising Returns
To fill McLaurin’s spot on the active roster, the Commanders are bringing up veteran wideout Van Jefferson from their practice squad. Jefferson has appeared in one game this season, so he’s got at least a little bit of game time under his belt this year, but it’s a tall order to step in for McLaurin. On a more positive note, defensive tackle Johnny Newton is set to return to practice. Newton has been on injured reserve since just before the regular season kicked off, after tearing his pectoral muscle this summer. Getting Newton back into the mix could be a much needed boost for Washington’s defense, especially with McLaurin out on the other side of the ball.
This is a tough hand to be dealt early in the season, losing a key offensive weapon, but the return of Newton to practice offers at least a small glimmer of hope. It’s all about who steps up now for Washington.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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