In many ways, the Indianapolis Colts and their opponent this week – the Washington Commanders – are mirror images. Both won their first game of the season last week in upset fashion. Unlike Indy, though, Washington could be missing key contributors: Quarterback Jayden Daniels is out, and wide receiver Terry McLaurin is now questionable with a hamstring issue.
While the Colts were breaking a five-game losing streak against the Houston Texans, Washington was pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the young season, knocking off the reigning Super Bowl champs, no less. And they did it without their starting quarterback, Daniels.
Daniels will miss this week’s contest with the Colts as well. He is recovering from an elbow injury on his non-throwing arm and hopes to be back on the field in a few weeks. On Friday, Washington got more bad news on the injury front when McLaurin was listed as questionable for Week 4 with a hamstring injury.
What Terry McLaurin’s absence means for Washington Commanders' offense
The Colts know all too well what it means to be without your top receiver. They will not have Alec Pierce on the field for several more weeks at minimum. That has ripple effects on the rest of the Colts' offense, just as McLaurin's potential absence could hurt more than just the Commanders' passing attack.
McLaurin has been one of the NFL’s most underrated receivers since entering the league in 2019. He had a run of five straight seasons with at least 70 catches and 1,000 yards broken last year, and the Commanders’ offense struggled mightily.
Following his sensational 2024 season – which resulted in his first All-Pro selection and Washington’s deep run in the playoffs, McLaurin “held in” for a new contract. Though things were eventually resolved, his lack of offseason work seemed to stymie his production. Then Jayden Daniels got hurt, and 2025 turned into a lost season.
McLaurin had been relatively quiet through Weeks 1 and 2 this year, both Commanders’ losses. But he was back in form for Week 3, catching six balls and making a crucial contested-catch touchdown to extend the Commanders’ lead against the Seahawks in the second half.
Now, that recent momentum could be in jeopardy.
The Commanders still have Stefon Diggs as their other primary receiver. Diggs has been productive in his return to his hometown, scoring three touchdowns over three weeks. And Washington is very excited about rookie Antonio Williams as well. When McLaurin, Diggs, and Williams are on the field together, it gives Washington a potent trio.
But McLaurin is the centerpiece. He has great speed and can produce deep, but also has excellent hands, routinely making tough catches in the middle of the field. His presence opens up the field for the rest of Washington’s offense. And he is one of the longest-tenured players on the squad as well as one of the unquestioned leaders.
McLaurin is not the only key offensive player the Commanders are missing. In addition to Jayden Daniels being out, they will be without their best offensive lineman, Sam Cosmi, and their best receiving option out of the backfield, Rachaad White.
Their best pass-catching tight end, Chig Okonkwo, is listed as questionable after missing Washington’s last two games. If McLaurin is out, the Commanders may rely on veterans Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks to support Diggs and Williams. They also just re-signed running back Austin Ekeler, who could provide some spark both as a pass catcher and as a runner.
If McLaurin does play on Sunday, it will be interesting to see whether Lou Anarumo gives Sauce Gardner the job of shutting the Commanders' star down. Normally, the Colts do not ask Sauce to travel with the opponent’s top receiver.
Without McLaurin, Anarumo could choose to have Gardner match up against Diggs, or simply play part of the Colts' zone. And the defensive coordinator will have greater flexibility in cheating safeties Cam Bynum and AJ Haulcy forward to shut down the Commanders' run game.
With Daniels, Cosmi, and White already out and McLaurin and Okonkwo questionable, the Commanders' offense will most likely test the Colts' line with the run and try to take advantage of aggressive linebackers with counter runs and play-action. Washington still has weapons who can hurt a defense, but without Terry McLaurin, they will be missing one of their very best playmakers.
Add us as a preferred source on Google