Who is going to play receiver for the Washington Commanders this weekend when they take on the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium? Right now, it's anyone's guess.
Although there was some optimism that the Commanders could get Terry McLaurin -- their No. 1 threat in the passing game -- back from the quad injury that has kept him sidelined since Week 4, the wideout was downgraded from limited to a non-participant during Thursday's practice. Deebo Samuel, who has been nursing a heel injury for the past two weeks, has not practiced all week. What's more, Noah Brown was moved to Injured Reserve after missing the last four games, ensuring he won't be available for another month.
As a result, the Commanders have been forced to use the pieces and parts left to them. Some, like Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane, have proven themselves ready for larger roles; others have yet to be utilized in a meaningful way on offense. They'll need to keep stepping up if the Commanders hope to tread water against the storm of injuries that has plagued the team all year.
"I think they're answering the call," said offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. "I think you look at Chris Moore [who] had a big touchdown catch; Luke continues to make plays. Jaylin Lane gets better and better each week. So, I've been really impressed with the guys that have been asked to step up."
The Commanders entered the season with what they thought was a solid trio at the top of the receiver position. However, the three have rarely been on the field together since Week 2. Samuel has played in every game, but McLaurin only just returned to practice after sustaining his quad injury against the Las Vegas Raiders, and Brown has been unavailable with groin and knee injuries.
Samuel has played well in their absence with 315 receiving yards and four total touchdowns, although the team has been cautious with him while he deals with his heel injury. He was on the field for 72.3% of the offensive snaps against the Chicago Bears but only had 14 total yards in the loss.
There's a possibility that the Commanders will be without McLaurin or Samuel against the Cowboys. So, who could step up in their place? McCaffrey could be at the top of the list. The second-year wideout was used at multiple spots on the field during training camp, and that experience has paid off. He has three touchdowns in the last four games and had a 50-yard completion against the Los Angeles Chargers. He's caught six of eight targets this season and already surpassed his total yardage a year ago.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels joked that two of McCaffrey's touchdowns were "the two most wide-open touchdowns" he has ever seen, but he's been impressed with the work McCaffrey has put in to improve.
"Salute to Luke and I'm happy for him, but every time we need a big play to be made, Luke is stepping up making that play," Daniels said.
Lane is another player who has gotten more looks with the veterans on the sideline. The ideal scenario, Kingsbury said, is for him to be used more in the slot, but Lane has stood out on the perimeter as well. He had a 37-yard reception on Monday against the Bears, which put the offense inside the Bears' 10-yard line and led to a touchdown from Zach Ertz.
Lane has made at least one catch in every game so far, although he only has 15 targets for the year. That could change on Sunday if neither McLaurin nor Samuel can suit up. The work he and McCaffrey have put in "behind closed doors," Kingsbury said, has helped prepare them for the opportunity to play.
"It's been cool to see when the lights come on, it's not been too big for them," Kingsbury said. "They made plays and have competed at a high level."
But there's also the question of simply filling out the room if one or both of the Commanders' top options are unavailable. Chris Moore, who had a 22-yard touchdown grab -- his first since the 2022 season -- is the only other healthy receiver on the roster. The other options are on the practice squad, which means the Commanders will need to elevate them before gameday. They've already reached their three-game limit with Tay Martin, meaning that they will need to sign him to the active roster if they want him to play again this season.
Of the three remaining practice squad players, Robbie Chosen is the only veteran in the group. He's caught five passes for 131 yards over the last two seasons. Ja'Corey Brooks and Jacoby Jones showed promise at times, but as undrafted free agents, they're viewed more as long-term projects at this point.
You won't hear Daniels complaining about the situation. He knows bad things happen at times in the NFL, which forces players to be thrust into certain situations. He intends to take the situation in stride, though, and expects his wide receivers to do the same.
"The preparation stays the same, and that's why all season [you] work on your fundamentals, your individual game. So, you're able to be accurate and things like that. And just kind of talk through those type of things."
The Commanders will likely need a standout performance from their offense on the road against the Cowboys, who have the league's worst defense in several categories. Conversely, their offense has been at the top of the NFL in almost every stat. The Commanders' best hope at getting a win may be to win a shootout against Dak Prescott, George Pickens and potentially CeeDee Lamb.
And that game plan will require a solid day from the receiver, whoever they might be.
"They're doing it, and it's not easy to do when you haven't had as many reps as other guys and then all of a sudden you're kind of thrown in there to be able to understand the offense, execute a high level, make plays when the lights are on," Kingsbury said. "It says a lot about kind of their character and their mentality."
