Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 3

The Commanders downgraded WR Deebo Samuel to out for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.

Samuel missed practice all week with a heel injury. This sets up Luke McCaffrey and Chris Moore as the top two wide receivers for Washington Sunday as Terry McLaurin is out again — he did return to practice this week — and Noah Brown is on injured reserve.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn tells reporters that WR Terry McLaurin is out for Sunday.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Luke McCaffrey, Chris Moore, Jaylin Lane

Samuel is also dealing with an injury issue which could keep him out, which is awful news ahead of a juicy matchup against the Cowboys defense. If both were to miss, McCaffrey would be a very interesting sneaky start.

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin, who missed the past three games with a quad injury, was not present at today’s practice ahead of Sunday’s game vs. the Cowboys.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Luke McCaffrey, Chris Moore, Jaylin Lane

McLaurin returned to practice yesterday, but that may have been some false hope. If he's able to go in Week 7, he and Deebo will have a fantastic matchup against a Dallas defense that ranks 32nd in WR aFPA.

The Commanders have placed WR Noah Brown on Injured Reserve, knocking him out the next four games. He's dealing with a groin injury.

In better news, coach Dan Quinns said Commanders WR Terry McLaurin (quad) will practice this week.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Chris Moore, Jaylin Moore

Still early in the week, but this is obviously a step in the right direction for McLaurin. If he's able to go in Week 7, he and Deebo will have a fantastic matchup against a Dallas defense that ranks 32nd in WR aFPA.

Commanders WR Deebo Samuel, listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Bears due to a heel injury, is expected to play.

Samuel was called "very questionable" on some NFL shows leading up to Sunday's games, but it appears he's good to go for MNF. With Terry McLaurin likely out, Samuel should be heavily involved in the offense.

Commanders WR Deebo Samuel did not practice Saturday with a heel injury.

Samuel is officially listed as questionable for Monday against the Bears. Keep an eye on this one as Samuel went from no practice Thursday to limited Friday to no practice Saturday. Washington already ruled out Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown. If Samuel can’t go, Washington’s top receivers would be Chris Moore, Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane.

The Commanders ruled out wide receivers Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) for Monday’s game against the Bears.

This will be the third straight game McLaurin will miss and the fourth straight for Brown. WR Deebo Samuel is dealing with a bruised heel and looks to be close to a game-time decision. If he can go, he’s the top option for Jayden Daniels. Samuel hauled in eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s 27-10 win over the Chargers in Week 5. Jacory Croskey-Merritt was the only other player with multiple receptions.

Through five weeks, one of the league’s most effective rookies has been Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt — who may be better known by the simple nickname, “Bill.”

A seventh-round pick in this year’s draft, Croskey-Merritt was good enough in the offseason program, training camp, and preseason that Washington felt comfortable trading Brian Robinson to the 49ers in August. But Washington has continued to see his growth and development, giving Croskey-Merritt his first start in Week 5 against the Chargers.

Croskey-Merritt made that decision pay off with 111 yards rushing on 14 carries with two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 39 yards.

Related players: Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols

Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters in his Monday press conference that the Commanders elected to lean into aspects of their scheme in which Croskey-Merritt excelled, and the young running back had a strong week of practice, the story said. The story added though he’s had limited carries in the first five weeks, Croskey-Merritt leads the league with 6.6 yards per carry. He’s tallied 283 yards rushing with four touchdowns and caught five passes for 54 yards. "Bill" is probably a familiar names to those in dynasty leagues as our friends at Dynasty League Football suggested to take him later in dynasty drafts this spring. But now he's officially a useful option in redraft leagues as well. Rodriguez had just five carries and McNichols had two touches, so his outlook going forward is strong.

Quinn said he's "optimistic" about Terry McLaurin for this week and reiterates that he and others -- Noah Brown, Sam Cosmi -- are trending in the right direction.

Having the extra day helps, too, the post points out. The post went on to say we'll find out more later this week, perhaps with the practice report. The extra day could work against fantasy owners if McLaurin comes down to a game-time decision. Coming up with a backup plan now may be a good idea, but we'll keep updating McLaurin's status.

The Commanders have ruled out WR Terry McLaurin, WR Noah Brown and G Sam Cosmi before traveling to LA to play the Chargers.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Luke McCaffrey, Zach Ertz, Chris Moore

Still no word on Samuel, so that's a good sign for his availability this weekend. He earned nine opportunities last week, turning them into 81 total yards and a touchdown. He'll be locked into a WR2 role unless he has a pre-game setback.