September 24, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that wide receiver
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. McLaurin continues to undergo testing after getting hurt in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and there's a very real chance that he won't play in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons. Missing the first practice of the week is a bad sign, but he still has two more days to get back onto the practice field. Fantasy managers who have been starting the 30-year-old through the first three weeks need to have a backup plan in place in case he is ruled out in Week 4. If McLaurin is sidelined against Atlanta,
Luke McCaffrey and rookie
Jaylin Lane would likely start in three-wide sets alongside
Deebo Samuel Sr., with tight end
Zach Ertz also seeing an uptick in usage.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Nicki Jhabvala
September 24, 2025
Washington Commanders tight end
Zach Ertz could be in line for increased usage in Week 4. The veteran has been steady to start his 13th season, catching 12 of 16 targets for 128 yards and two touchdowns. That role may expand if star wide receiver
Terry McLaurin (quad) is forced to miss Sunday's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Ertz has a history of success against Atlanta, posting six catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns in last year's meeting. If McLaurin sits and quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) returns to the lineup, Ertz would be positioned to have another big week against the Falcons. In that scenario, Ertz moves from a solid streaming option to a must-start fantasy tight end in Week 4.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
September 23, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) is uncertain to play in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons due to a quadriceps injury he suffered in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. McLaurin is still seeking more information on his injury. Before getting hurt on Sunday, the 30-year-old had three catches for 74 yards on his four targets while playing 35 offensive snaps. On top of McLaurin potentially missing Week 4, quarterback
Jayden Daniels may miss a second straight game due to a knee sprain he suffered in Week 2. If McLaurin is unable to play this weekend,
Deebo Samuel Sr.,
Luke McCaffrey, and rookie
Jaylin Lane would likely be the starters in three-wide sets. Tight end
Zach Ertz would also see more targets in the passing game. With McLaurin injured on Sunday, McCaffrey scored his first touchdown of the year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
September 22, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) remains day-to-day with a sprained knee, and his next update on the signal-caller will come on Wednesday, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports. With Daniels' lateral movement restricted after getting hurt in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, he did not play in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Although the 24-year-old's injury isn't considered serious, there's a chance he'll miss a second straight contest in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons. The Commanders aren't going to take any chances with their second-year QB. Veteran
Marcus Mariota looked good in an easy win over the Raiders and could have a second straight solid performance this weekend if Daniels remains out against a Falcons defense that just gave up over 30 points to the Carolina Panthers.
--Keith HernandezSource: NBC Sports Washington - JP Finlay
September 22, 2025
Although Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. wasn't all that efficient (3.5 yards per carry) in his 2025 debut in the team's 41-24 blowout win over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, he did lead the team with 11 carries. Rodriguez was a healthy scratch the first two weeks, but he was elevated to the active roster for Week 3 after
Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles in Week 2. The 24-year-old ran for 39 yards on his 11 carries and was not utilized in the passing game. Rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was second on the team with eight carries, and he, too, was inefficient with just 26 yards on the ground.
Jeremy McNichols and quarterback
Marcus Mariota combined for 10 rushing attempts and two touchdowns against the Raiders. Croskey-Merritt has the most upside in the Commanders' backfield moving forward with Ekeler done for the year, but Rodriguez is worth a waiver-wire pickup if you have JCM rostered or are looking for RB depth. Rodriguez is currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 22, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Jeremy McNichols carried the ball four times for 78 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-24 win over the Raiders. McNichols had a statement run in the second quarter, where he evaded multiple tackles and ran for a 60-yard touchdown. The touchdown was his first of the season. With
Austin Ekeler (Achilles) out for the season, the Commanders went with a running-back-by-committee approach on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed eight times, while Chris Rodriguez led the backfield in attempts with 11 rushes, and McNichols rushed four times. While the committee approach is less than ideal for fantasy managers, it does mean that every player in the backfield is worth a look on the waiver wire in Week 4, specifically Rodriguez and McNichols, with Croskey-Merritt likely already rostered. Given the offense's success in their Week 3 win, McNichols' role and volume will likely stay the same in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: ESPN
September 21, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Marcus Mariota completed 15 of his 21 pass attempts for 207 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. He also carried the ball six times for an additional 40 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. All in all, it was a very solid outing from the veteran quarterback, starting in place of the injured
Jayden Daniels (knee). He showcased a rapport with several Washington receivers while demonstrating an impressive ability to move the ball with his legs. It's unclear if Daniels will miss additional time, but if he does, Mariota should rank as a high-end QB2 against an Atlanta Falcons defense that just surrendered 30 points to the Carolina Panthers.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 21, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin (quad) exited during the third quarter of Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. He is officially questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had caught three of four targets for 74 yards through the air, coming just inches short of a touchdown reception. While McLaurin's production may appear modest, he actually leads the Commanders in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Washington has been able to run the ball effectively while leading Las Vegas by multiple touchdowns, resulting in a reduced passing workload for
Marcus Mariota.
Jaylin Lane,
Chris Moore, and
Luke McCaffrey should earn more targets behind
Deebo Samuel Sr. until McLaurin can return.
--Andersen PickardSource: Washington Commanders
September 21, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) has a ligament sprain that prevented him from playing Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to FOX's Jay Glazer. The sophomore quarterback is able to move forward, but the injury has hampered his ability to move side-to-side, according to Glazer. In the meantime, Washington will start veteran backup
Marcus Mariota while Daniels recovers.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: FOX Sports
September 21, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) has already been ruled out for the Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The good news is that the Commanders have ruled out a possible MCL sprain for Daniels. Hopefully, this issue will only result in a one-game absence for him. Fantasy managers will have a better idea of his status when they resume practice ahead of Week 4. In the meantime,
Marcus Mariota will take over under center and is a possible streaming option for fantasy managers who lost Daniels.
--Andy WebbSource: Dianna Russini
September 20, 2025
Washington Commanders tight end
Ben Sinnott could be in line to see more snaps in Week 3 against the Raiders with tight end
John Bates (groin) out. Sinnott has operated as Washington's third tight end since being drafted in the second round of last year's draft, but he has a chance to see a career high in snaps this week. Sinnott only played three snaps total and caught one ball for eight yards with Bates injured in Week 2's loss to the Packers, and how often he plays in Week 3 will be telling for the second-year tight end. He's not a direct replacement for Bates because he's not as good a blocker at the point of attack, but he is solid at blocking on the move and is an excellent athlete. There could be some specific packages for Sinnott against the Raiders, and getting a real look at him in game action will be noteworthy for his dynasty value. But he isn't on radars in redraft leagues for Week 3.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 20, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Jaylin Lane could play a bigger role in Week 3 against the Raiders with
Noah Brown (groin) out for the game. Lane has already played a decent amount on offense through two weeks, and he ran the fourth-most routes on the team in their Week 2 loss. The rookie caught only one of three targets for yards against a stingy Packers defense. Lane generated buzz during training camp for his speed and playmaking ability with the ball in his hands, and now he has a bigger opportunity. It will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury handles the key absences on offense, as both Lane and
Deebo Samuel Sr. are better suited for the slot. Lane will be an interesting player to watch, but he isn't a viable fantasy option for Week 3.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Jeremy McNichols will likely see more work as the team's primary pass-down back in Week 3 against Las Vegas. With
Austin Ekeler lost for the season, McNichols is the most capable option to step in and try to match his production. McNichols has shown to be very stout as a pass blocker and has earned the coaches' trust in that aspect. His role will likely be mostly on third-downs and occasionally mixing in for
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and
Chris Rodriguez Jr. McNichols will be alongside
Marcus Mariota, who is filling in for an injured
Jayden Daniels. McNichols earned some snaps with Mariota last season against Carolina and had a solid day, rushing for 42 yards on seven carries. McNichols is worth keeping an eye on to see what the Washington backfield looks like without Ekeler, but he shouldn't be in many Week 3 lineups.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
Washington Commanders tight end
Zach Ertz has scored in both games to open the 2025 season and should again be in line for a solid day in Week 3 against the Raiders. The 34-year-old continues to serve as a reliable target over the middle for
Jayden Daniels, who is set to miss Week 3's game.
Marcus Mariota will be the starter, and he had a positive connection with Ertz during his short time playing last season. He was second on the team in targets with five against the Panthers, where Mariota played nearly the whole game. He finished with four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. Then, in the second half of Week 18's game against Dallas, Ertz caught all three targets for 27 yards and another touchdown. Mariota has familiarity with the system and has started a lot of games, so he should keep things afloat for the Washington offense. Ertz can be trusted as a low-end TE1 option for Week 3.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. projects favorably again in Week 3 against the Raiders. Samuel's usage has been very encouraging for fantasy managers, with plenty of underneath targets and screens in addition to him showing the ability to win downfield. Winning on some intermediate crossing routes like he has so far through two weeks is a positive signal that he is in a good place health-wise and is moving well. His elite YAC ability, combined with those downfield targets mixed in, is what made him a fantasy beast with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury seemingly has a good grasp of how to optimize his skillset. Samuel will look to be a friendly target for veteran
Marcus Mariota as he starts for an injured
Jayden Daniels. Mariota played well in limited action last season and should be able to operate the offense well enough to keep the Washington offense productive for fantasy purposes. Samuel should be started with confidence as a WR2 in Week 3.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
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