The NFL’s international slate is officially underway, with the Washington Commanders touching down in London to face the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But what should be a celebratory overseas showcase has taken a stressful turn for Washington fans: star wide receiver Terry McLaurin is suddenly in serious danger of missing the game.
Here is the latest breakdown of McLaurin’s injury, the impact on the Commanders’ offense, and what you need to know before kickoff.
The Friday Surprise
In the NFL, a late-week addition to the injury report is rarely a good sign, and that’s exactly what happened with McLaurin. After practicing without an injury designation earlier in the week, “Scary Terry” tweaked his hamstring during Friday’s practice session.
He officially drew a “Questionable” tag on the final injury report, but recent reports from team insiders paint a much bleaker picture. Sources now indicate that McLaurin is expected to be ruled out for Sunday’s matchup against the Colts.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky for explosive athletes like wide receivers. Even a minor strain can severely limit top speed and route-running ability, and teams are often cautious to prevent a minor tweak from turning into a multi-week absence. Given the long flight to London and the quick turnaround, the Commanders appear ready to play it safe with their franchise receiver.
An Offense Already Shorthanded
McLaurin’s likely absence is a massive blow to a Washington offense that is already dealing with severe attrition. The Commanders will be heavily reliant on their backups across multiple key positions:
- Quarterback: Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels has already been ruled out with a left elbow injury. Veteran Marcus Mariota will be under center trying to pilot the offense.
- Running Back: Rachaad White has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, meaning the ground game will lack its usual punch.
- Offensive Line: Guard Sam Cosmi is out with a concussion.
Losing McLaurin, starting a backup quarterback, and facing a depleted backfield makes moving the chains against the Colts a daunting task.
Who Needs to Step Up?
If Terry McLaurin is officially inactive, Marcus Mariota will have to look elsewhere to keep the chains moving. Here is who benefits from the vacated target share:
- Stefon Diggs: The veteran will step directly into the WR1 role. Expect Mariota to lean heavily on Diggs’ precise route running and experience to keep the offense on schedule.
- Antonio Williams: The rookie receiver has already carved out a solid role, catching 9 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets through his first three NFL games. With McLaurin out, Williams essentially becomes the WR2 and could see a significant volume of targets.
- The Supporting Cast: Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks will be pushed up the depth chart, and tight end Chig Okonkwo could serve as a vital safety blanket over the middle of the field.
Fantasy Football Implications
If you roster Terry McLaurin, you need a backup plan immediately. Because this game kicks off early Sunday morning (9:30 AM ET) from London, you won’t have the luxury of waiting until the standard 1:00 PM slate to decide.
Check the inactives list 90 minutes before the early kickoff. If McLaurin is officially ruled out, Antonio Williams becomes an intriguing flex play in deeper leagues due to the sheer volume he is likely to inherit. Stefon Diggs should be locked into your lineups as a high-volume target.
For the Commanders, survival in London will depend on a patchwork offense finding chemistry quickly.
