The Washington Commanders already knew they would be heading into Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts without Jayden Daniels.
Now Marcus Mariota could be asked to win without two more important pieces of Washington’s offense.
Terry McLaurin injury adds to Commanders’ problems
Washington officially ruled Daniels out Friday as he continues recovering from the dislocated left elbow he suffered against the Dallas Cowboys. It will be the second consecutive game Daniels has missed, leaving Mariota to make another start.
That was expected.
What happened with Terry McLaurin wasn’t.
McLaurin wasn’t even listed on Washington’s injury report Wednesday or Thursday. Then a hamstring issue surfaced Friday, limiting him in practice and leaving him questionable for Sunday’s game in London.
The timing couldn’t be much worse.
McLaurin is tied for Washington’s team lead with a 22% target share and leads the Commanders with a 28.4% first-read target share. Losing that security blanket would be difficult enough with Daniels behind center.
Potentially losing him while already starting a backup quarterback is another problem entirely.
Marcus Mariota could be working with a depleted offense
McLaurin isn’t Washington’s only additional concern.
Running back Rachaad White has already been ruled out with a shoulder injury after missing practice throughout the week. Starting guard Sam Cosmi is also out with concussion and throat injuries.
Suddenly, the situation around Mariota looks considerably different than it did following Washington’s 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Mariota played well in place of Daniels, completing 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception.
He may need another performance like that against Indianapolis.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt sits atop Washington’s depth chart at running back, while Austin Ekeler gives the Commanders another veteran option in the backfield. Stefon Diggs would become even more important in the passing game if McLaurin can’t go.
There are still weapons available.
There just aren’t nearly as many as Washington probably expected to have.
Commanders need more than Marcus Mariota against Colts
The easy storyline entering Week 4 was always going to be Daniels’ absence.
Washington survived without him once. Mariota showed he’s capable of keeping the offense functional and winning a game while Daniels recovers.
Sunday could be a much tougher test.
It’s one thing to replace your starting quarterback. It’s another to ask his replacement to compensate for injuries elsewhere at the same time.
The Commanders already know Daniels and White won’t play. Now they’re waiting to find out whether their No. 1 receiver will join them on the sideline.
If McLaurin can’t go, Daniels’ absence might not even be Washington’s biggest offensive problem anymore.
It’ll be everything missing around the guy replacing him.
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