Terry McLaurin has been one of the most reliable players for Washington in recent years. He entered the 2025 season as the team’s highest-paid wide receiver after back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns. Expectations were high for him to anchor a young offense led by Jayden Daniels.
But an untimely injury has thrown his season into question. The Commanders sit at 2–2 and are fighting to stay competitive in the NFC East. McLaurin’s health could decide how dangerous their passing attack looks in the coming weeks.
What Happened to Terry McLaurin?
McLaurin injured his quadriceps in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The issue developed during the second half after a long reception and forced him to the sideline. Early reports called it a muscle strain, but further evaluation raised concern for a core or hip flexor component.
The good news is that surgery is not expected. The team has labeled him week to week, and recovery is focused on rest and rehabilitation. He has missed multiple practices since the injury and was held out of the Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
For a third straight day today, Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is not practicing due to his quad injury. pic.twitter.com/m9rbUGRFpL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 26, 2025
Is Terry McLaurin Playing Week 5?
Terry McLaurin took a positive step toward returning, as he was back on the practice field for the first time since suffering a quad injury in Week 3. According to @NickiJhabvala, McLaurin was spotted on the side field working with the team’s strength coach – a sign that his recovery is progressing, though he’s not yet a full participant.
His Week 5 status remains uncertain, but this development is an encouraging sign that he’s moving in the right direction. The Commanders are still expected to monitor his workload closely as head coach Dan Quinn and the medical staff prioritize a cautious return for their top wideout.
With quarterback Jayden Daniels medically cleared to practice fully this week, Washington’s offense could be trending back toward full strength – if McLaurin continues making progress over the next few days.
Terry McLaurin Fantasy Outlook
From a fantasy perspective, McLaurin’s situation is frustrating. Through three games, he has 10 catches on 17 targets for 149 yards. His efficiency per reception is strong at almost 15 yards, but he has yet to score a touchdown.
For Week 5, projections place him outside the starting range for most leagues. Fantasy models give him between 7 and 9 points in standard formats, with slightly more in PPR. Those numbers reflect both his injury status and uncertainty in Washington’s quarterback play.
Managers should prepare backups and avoid starting him unless he logs full practices and is cleared on game day.
Read More:
NFL Fantasy Football Injury Tracker Week 5: All We Know About Key Stars’ Status Ft. Tyreek Hill
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