Is Terry McLaurin Playing This Week? Latest Injury Report, Fantasy Advice & Commanders Update

Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin will miss a fourth straight game after being ruled out for Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Friday. The Pro Bowler has been nursing a right quadriceps strain suffered in Week 3 and has yet to participate in a full practice since the injury occurred. What Quinn said • “We’re not going to rush Terry back,” Quinn told reporters. “He’s trending in the right direction, but the medical staff wants to see top-end explosiveness before clearing him.” • McLaurin was limited on Wednesday, downgraded to “did not practice” Thursday, and officially ruled out after Friday’s walkthrough. Key timeline – Sept 29: quad strain vs. Raiders – Oct 1-19: three games missed (Weeks 4-6) – Oct 15: first limited practice stint – Oct 17: ruled out for Cowboys game Depth-chart ramifications 1. Rookie speedster Malik Benson is expected to start at “X” receiver. 2. Curtis Samuel remains the primary slot option but is also battling a minor hamstring issue. 3. Washington signed veteran free agent Laquon Treadwell to bolster outside depth after a Thursday workout. Fantasy football impact • Jahan Dotson sees a projected 25-30 percent target share with McLaurin sidelined. • Benson profiles as a high-upside DFS punt at minimum salary. • Quarterback Drake Maye’s passing ceiling is capped; Washington’s implied team total dropped 1.5 points at sportsbooks after Friday’s news. When will Terry McLaurin return? Quinn noted that the plan is to “re-evaluate early next week” to determine if McLaurin can ramp up for the Week 8 divisional showdown against the New York Giants. The team is encouraged by the receiver’s straight-line running but is still waiting for him to execute full-speed cuts without discomfort. What it means for Washington’s playoff push At 3-3, the Commanders are clinging to the NFC’s final wild-card spot. McLaurin’s absence has coincided with a dip in offensive efficiency (5.2 yards per play in Weeks 1-3 to 4.4 YPP in Weeks 4-6). Getting their No. 1 receiver back for the second half of the season remains critical for a roster that ranks bottom-five in explosive-play rate since his injury. Quick hits • McLaurin leads Washington in first-down receptions (21) despite missing three games. • The Cowboys have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs, making his absence even more significant. • Monitor Saturday’s transaction wire; another practice-squad elevation at WR is possible. Bottom line Terry McLaurin is officially out for Week 7, extending his recovery timetable but giving the Commanders hope for a healthier, fully explosive return as soon as Week 8. In the meantime, expect Jahan Dotson, Malik Benson, and Curtis Samuel to shoulder the aerial workload while Washington’s playoff aspirations hang in the balance.