The Washington Commanders ended the Baltimore Ravens’ NFL-record 24-game preseason winning streak this past Monday night, but the victory came at a cost: an injured Terry McLaurin.
What is the latest news on the star WR, and should he still be someone you target in your fantasy football drafts this year?
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What Happened to Terry McLaurin?
On Washington’s final drive of the first half, McLaurin suffered a toe injury after catching his third pass of the game. The Commanders’ star wideout was visibly frustrated as he limped off the field and was taken back into the locker room with members of the training staff. Minutes later, McLaurin was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
The play where Terry McLaurin appeared to injure his toe. pic.twitter.com/U11L1dwLmH
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 22, 2023
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that X-rays on McLaurin’s toe were negative, and “his MRI showed the same thing for the most part.” Rivera added the plan is to keep McLaurin off his feet for the remainder of the week before seeing where he’s at when the club returns to practice next week.
Just one day after Rivera’s comments, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that McLaurin’s status for Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals is in limbo. The Commanders’ season opener is on Sept. 10, leaving McLaurin with less than three weeks from the initial injury to heal up.
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McLaurin has been largely durable for the Commanders during his four seasons with the club. After missing three total games over his first two years, McLaurin has suited up for all 17 games in each of the past two seasons despite dealing with a handful of minor injuries.
And, despite Washington’s revolving door at quarterback, McLaurin has crossed the 1,000-yard mark in each of the last three campaigns.
What Are the Commanders’ Options if McLaurin Misses Time?
The Commanders have a handful of options to replace McLaurin should he miss Week 1 (and perhaps longer).
If he misses time, second-year wideout Jahan Dotson will move into Washington’s WR1 role. Dotson — 2022 first-round pick — is a popular choice by fantasy experts to have a breakout season after a promising rookie year consisting of 523 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games.
Dotson shined at the end of the 2022 regular season and has formed a solid connection with new starting QB Sam Howell throughout training camp and the preseason. If McLaurin does miss Week 1, expect Dotson to have a heavy workload in the Commanders’ game plan.
Besides Dotson, Washington can lean on veteran Curtis Samuel in the passing attack. The former Ohio State star has the ability to line up anywhere in Eric Bieniemy’s offense, even the backfield. Samuel is arguably Washington’s most versatile player on offense and, if used right, can be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
It’s also worth noting that Howell has plenty of experience throwing to Dyami Brown, as the two were teammates for two seasons at North Carolina. In fact, they even connected on a touchdown pass on Monday against Baltimore.
Brown is currently Washington’s WR4 but figures to have a role in the Commanders’ offense regardless of McLaurin’s health. If Washington’s top wideout does miss time, Brown’s role will only increase.
What Does McLaurin’s Injury Mean for His Fantasy Ranking?
Before McLaurin’s injury, he was expected to be drafted around the fourth or fifth round of most fantasy football drafts. Now, his average draft position (ADP) is a little murkier.
McLaurin’s ADP shouldn’t change a ton, especially since he could still play in Week 1. When he does return, he’ll be the Commanders’ unquestioned WR1, even if Dotson does make a second-year jump.
For those who tend to draft a bit more risk-averse, it’s understandable to pass on McLaurin for someone like DJ Moore or Deebo Samuel — wide receivers expected to come off the board at a similar time but are also currently healthy.
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Still, McLaurin still deserves to be drafted over the next tier of receivers, such as Chris Godwin, Mike Williams, and others.
For those who are more risk-taking, McLaurin remains an excellent value pick in Round 4 or 5. He’s the clear-cut WR1 on his team and has produced top-20 fantasy finishes in two of the past three years, including a WR14 overall finish in 2022.
Even if he misses a game to begin the season, McLaurin will still be an every-week fixture with WR1 upside for the remainder of the year.