Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon, coach Dan Quinn announced Tuesday.
McLaurin suffered the injury to his left knee during the first quarter of Monday night’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. His left knee appeared to buckle as he tried to break away from 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. McLaurin went to the ground after the play, unable to hobble to the sideline.
The 31-year-old was carted off the field with an air cast protecting the joint.
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“I’m gutted for him. He’s our captain and one of our real leaders, so we’re all here to support him,” Quinn said. “That was certainly tough news.”
McLaurin is the longest-tenured player on Washington’s offense. The Ohio State product has been a favorite of Washington’s fans and quarterbacks since he joined the franchise as a third-round pick in 2019. No receiver has caught more passes from star quarterback Jayden Daniels than McLaurin.
“It’s a big hit,” Quinn said of McLaurin’s absence.
His production dipped this year, with 15 catches for 230 yards through five games.
The reliable McLaurin missed just three games in his first six NFL seasons, as he appeared in every Commanders game from 2021 through 2024. But injuries have hampered the 31-year-old since he signed a three-year extension worth $97 million ahead of the 2025 season.
McLaurin missed seven games last year due to a quad strain. He did not travel with the team to London earlier this month due to a hamstring issue ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
“He brings a lot on and off the field. I felt him in so many unique ways this season, from training camp to in-season,” Quinn said. “We do have a deep crew at that position and we’ll lean in on a number of the guys to find some of the unique roles that Terry does.”
Veteran pass catcher Stefon Diggs, who has missed time with a hamstring injury, will likely see more opportunities in McLaurin’s absence. Rookie Antonio Williams, a third-round pick, is next on the depth chart.
Other options include Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown and Luke McCaffrey, who are also on the active roster. Burks also left Monday night’s game early. Trainers escorted him to the locker room in the fourth quarter, though Quinn would not provide an update on his status on Tuesday.
One of Washington’s two practice squad receivers — veteran Van Jefferson and undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley — will likely be elevated to fill out the depth chart. The Commanders elevated Jefferson for the Oct. 11 tie against the Giants while Diggs was out.
“Van would be somebody we’ve already [elevated] once and he had an excellent camp, and Jaden [did] as well,” Quinn said. “You get some of the deep plays with Jaden, and that’s one of the unique things that Terry has as well. Burks has some of that, Dyami has some of that.”
The Commanders have extra time to devise a plan at receiver. They entered a bye week after Monday’s loss to the 49ers. Washington’s next game arrives on Nov. 1 — a home tilt against the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
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