Terry McLaurin remains listed as questionable but is trending toward playing for the Washington Commanders in their Sunday game against the New York Giants. The star wide receiver has battled a hamstring injury that forced him out of last week’s matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, where he was ruled out Sunday morning after landing on the injury report the Friday prior.
McLaurin missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week but returned on Friday for limited reps. Head coach Dan Quinn described McLaurin’s session on Friday as “really good” and said, “Today, it was excellent to have him back out on the field.” Despite the positive signs, Quinn stressed the team would wait until closer to kickoff before making a final call.
The Commanders’ injury report listed McLaurin as questionable, reflecting the uncertainty heading into the game. Washington has already ruled out eight players for Sunday’s contest, including starting wide receiver Stefon Diggs. While Diggs’ absence might suggest added pressure on McLaurin to play, Quinn said the team’s approach remains cautious: “The Commanders will do what’s best for their players, even if it means being overly cautious.”
Weather conditions could influence McLaurin’s availability. Northwest Stadium, the Commanders’ home field, is expected to endure rain throughout the game due to Hurricane Isaias. The field’s condition is already problematic, raising questions about whether the team might opt to protect McLaurin from further risk. Quinn addressed this, saying, “It’s not something right now that is under evaluation for that,” indicating weather concerns haven’t swayed their decision-making yet.
On Saturday, Commanders insider Ben Standig offered an update on McLaurin’s status. He tweeted that McLaurin’s hamstring responded well after practice and that his status was “trending up” as of that afternoon. ESPN’s John Keim provided a similar assessment but with more caution, describing McLaurin as a “gametime decision” with “a slight lean to him playing.”
McLaurin’s determination to return is clear, but the final decision rests on the team’s evaluation leading into the game. With Stefon Diggs sidelined, the Commanders will likely rely on other receivers and offensive options if McLaurin can’t take the field. The situation remains fluid, and the Commanders are expected to announce McLaurin’s status closer to kickoff.
According to Yahoo Sports.
