McLaurin closed the 2022 campaign on a high note, and hopefully that carries over to this season. He's worth drafting as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues as early as Round 4. Last season, McLaurin scored at least 13 PPR points in four of his final five games. The last outing of that stretch in Week 18 against Dallas was with Sam Howell making his first NFL start, and Howell targeted McLaurin six times for three catches, 74 yards and a touchdown. We'll see how the two connect over a full season, and McLaurin has to contend with second-year receiver Jahan Dotson competing for targets. There's still the chance McLaurin can be a top-15 Fantasy option in all leagues, but we'll be a little conservative with our projection given the limited sample size with Howell. And Howell also has to prove he's better than Jacoby Brissett in training camp. But McLaurin is a definite starter in three-receiver leagues and should hopefully start in all formats in 2023.
Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Six grabs in double-digit defeat
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McLaurin brought in all six targets for 41 yards in the Commanders' 37-3 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
McLaurin managed to cobble together some serviceable numbers in the ugly loss, leading the Commanders in receptions and checking in second in receiving yards and targets. The fifth-year pro has upped his reception total over the prior game in each of the last two contests, but he and second-year signal-caller Sam Howell draw another unenviable matchup in a Week 4 road matchup against the Eagles.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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It is worth noting that McLaurin was the go-to guy when Washington trailed last week, so it's possible he keeps that role this week, even if the data suggests his outside role is tougher than that of Dotson, who moves around a lot more. If Logan Thomas is out, perhaps McLaurin sees an extra target or two. I would start McLaurin as a low-end flex over Dotson, even if he doesn't have the same kind of upside, because he seems to have connected with Howell. But I would not start McLaurin over Jordan Addison or Chris Godwin.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Gets back on track Sunday
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McLaurin had five receptions on six targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-33 win over the Broncos.
Quarterback Sam Howell found McLaurin for a 30-yard score on the first drive of the second half, which sparked an impressive multi-score comeback for the Commanders. The 28-year-old was held to two catches in Week 1 coming off of a preseason toe injury, so Sunday's strong showing should relieve any concerned fantasy managers. Look for McLaurin to continue building a rapport with his new quarterback in a home matchup against the Bills next Sunday.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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McLaurin is a stud but his coverage figures to be tough. Tack on a Commanders passing offense that was pretty good last week and Jahan Dotson picking up more targets (and getting open more often) and there's some concern for McLaurin not just now, but for the next few weeks as Washington will play a bunch of good defenses. For now, sit him for Zay Flowers, Romeo Doubs and Michael Thomas.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: WRs to Sit
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I'd like to see McLaurin post a quality stat line before starting him in all formats, and I would only use him in three-receiver leagues in Week 2 at Denver. I like Jahan Dotson better than McLaurin again, and he's a borderline starter in all leagues. In Week 1 against Arizona, McLaurin had fewer targets than Logan Thomas (eight), Dotson (seven) and Curtis Samuel (five). McLaurin finished that game with two catches for 31 yards on four targets, and his injured toe from the preseason could still be an issue. I hope I'm wrong about McLaurin, but if he's matchup up with Patrick Surtain II then I expect McLaurin to struggle once again in Week 2.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Two catches in Sunday's win
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McLaurin caught two of four targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Cardinals.
After suffering a turf toe injury in the Commanders' second preseason game, McLaurin was in danger of missing the team's opener completely, but he was able to practice this week and got cleared ahead of Sunday's contest. The fifth-year wideout didn't look like his usual dynamic self however, as Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Logan Thomas all posted better receiving totals than McLaurin. With more time to recover, he could be more productive in Week 2, but the Washington passing game will face a tough test on the road against Patrick Surtain and the Broncos.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Cleared for Sunday
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McLaurin (toe) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Arizona.
McLaurin's upgrade to full practice participation Thursday put him on track to play, and we now have confirmation he'll be active less than three weeks after injuring his toe in a preseason game. He starts his season with a great matchup against one of the least experienced CB groups in the league, though the Cardinals do have good safeties and are arguably even more exploitable up front against the run.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Gets in full practice Thursday
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McLaurin (toe) practiced fully Thursday.
McLaurin suffered a turf toe injury in his right foot during the Commanders' second preseason game on Aug. 21. Initially, there was a belief that he was in danger of missing some time in the regular season, but after opening Week 1 prep with a limited practice Wednesday, he's progressed enough to be cleared for all activity three days before Sunday's season opener against the Cardinals. McLaurin thus will operate as the No. 1 target for second-year quarterback Sam Howell alongside fellow wide receiver Jahan Dotson this weekend.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Limited in first official practice
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McLaurin (toe) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
While he may not have taken part in every aspect of practice, McLaurin looked good going through individual drills during the media-access portion of practice, according to Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site. The wideout seems to have made good progress since injuring his toe Aug. 21, with McLaurin telling John Keim of ESPN.com that he doesn't feel he has any limitations and plans to play in Sunday's game against Arizona. A return to full participation Thursday or Friday would confirm that McLaurin is on track to play this weekend and handle his usual workload.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Suited up for practice
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McLaurin (toe) was spotted in pads for practice Wednesday, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
He'll apparently be at least a limited participant in Wednesday's session 16 days after suffering from turf toe in a preseason win over the Ravens. McLaurin missed practice for a couple weeks, but the Commanders consider him day-to-day and seemingly remain hopeful he'll play in Sunday's season opener against Arizona.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Viewed as day-to-day
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McLaurin is said to be progressing in his recovery from turf toe and is considered day-to-day, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
The Commanders are hoping McLaurin will be able to play in Sunday's season opener versus the Cardinals, but his status for Week 1 remains uncertain after he suffered the injury to his right foot in Washington's Aug. 21 preseason win over the Ravens. McLaurin's activity -- or lack thereof -- in practices this week will go a long way toward determining his availability for Sunday, but even if he manages to suit up against Arizona, he could still have his snaps monitored to some degree. Washington will release its first official injury report of the season Wednesday.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Not seen at practice
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McLaurin (toe) isn't practicing Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
McLaurin is 10 days removed from injuring his toe in a preseason win over the Ravens, with his status for Week 1 against Arizona in serious question. He was diagnosed with turf toe and hasn't practiced since, but McLaurin still has some time to get on the field before Washington's season opener Sun., Sept. 10.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: In danger of missing Week 1
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McLaurin (toe) is uncertain for Week 1 against Arizona even though the Commanders have expressed optimism, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
McLaurin seemed to know the injury could threaten his Week 1 availability, as he came over to the sideline and threw his right shoe after coming out of Monday's preseason win over Baltimore. Dyami Brown, the Commanders' No. 4 receiver, caught a TD pass from Sam Howell not long after, filling in alongside Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel to form the main three-wide grouping. The team's medical staff diagnosed McLaurin with turf toe after the game, and Schefter noted Thursday that it's typically a multi-week injury. Expect to see McLaurin on the Week 1 injury report, with practice limitations (or absences) a possibility even if he ends up playing.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: May only be day-to-day
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McLaurin (toe) may only be day-to-day, and the Commanders are optimistic he'll play Week 1, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
McLaurin's early exit from Monday's preseason game was followed by a diagnosis of turf toe, an injury that doesn't necessarily equate to missed games but does come with the possibility of lingering or resurfacing problems. Multiple reports Tuesday suggest his case is a mild one, which gives him a good chance to suit up for a Week 1 home game against the Cardinals, which will take place 20 days after McLaurin suffered the initial injury. If things take a turn for the worse, Dyami Brown is the clear favorite to step in alongside Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel in three-wide formations.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Believed to have turf toe
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McLaurin is believed to have suffered a turf toe injury on his right foot during Monday's preseason game against the Ravens, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
McLaurin will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to reveal the full extent of his injury. Turf toe diagnoses can range from Grade 1, for which he should miss little time, to Grade 3, which involves a ligament tear and carries a multi-week recovery. The hope is that Washington's top wideout has avoided a serious issue, and that he can get healthy in time for the team's regular-season opener against Arizona on Sept. 10. If McLaurin were to miss any time, however, second-year pro Jahan Dotson would likely step up as Sam Howell's No. 1 target.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Leaves with toe injury Monday
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McLaurin exited Monday night's preseason game against the Ravens with a right toe injury.
X-rays on McLaurin's toe were negative, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. McLaurin had his right foot trapped underneath him a bit late in the first half, limped to the sideline and eventually was taken to the locker room. It sounds like McLaurin avoided a serious injury. Prior to leaving, he caught all three of his targets for 39 yards. With just one game to go during exhibition season, McLaurin likely will make it his goal to be ready for Week 1.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Departs early Monday
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McLaurin (foot) went to the locker room near the end of the second quarter of Monday's preseason game versus the Ravens, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
McLaurin had his right foot and ankle examined before he made his way off the field. Prior to his departure, he gathered in all three of his targets for 39 yards while working with starting quarterback Sam Howell.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Developing chemistry with Howell
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McLaurin told reporters last week that he has a "nuanced connection" with QB Sam Howell, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
The report notes that Howell has been spreading the ball around in training camp rather than heavily focusing on his top receiver, but it sounds like he and McLaurin nonetheless have developed a strong working relationship. While that doesn't necessarily mean Howell will be able to elevate McLaurin beyond the WR2 range where he's lingered in fantasy throughout his career, there's at least some theoretical upside now that the team is giving a young QB a chance instead of relying on a veteran who is proven to be no better than mediocre. The WR group looks like the strength of Washington's offense, with McLaurin joined by 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson and veteran slot man Curtis Samuel. The tackle spots also appear in good hands between LT Charles Leno and RT Andrew Wylie, while potential problem areas (besides QB) include the interior line and tight ends.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: Hauls in TD against Cowboys
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McLaurin caught three of six targets for 74 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-6 win over Dallas.
The fourth-year wideout was on the other end of rookie Sam Howell's first career passing TD, hauling in a 16-yard score in the first quarter. McLaurin finishes the season with a career-high 1,191 receiving yards on 77 catches with five touchdowns, his third straight campaign with over 1,000 yards, and no matter who's under center for Washington next year, he'll be a key part of the passing game.
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin: WRs to Sit
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McLaurin could have a great game in rookie Sam Howell's first start, or he could be an absolute disaster, especially against the Cowboys. I'm not going to be too pessimistic, but I'll downgrade McLaurin to a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in this scenario. His targets have been down of late with a combined 16 in his past three games against the Giants, 49ers and Browns, and he struggled against Cleveland in Week 17 with two catches for 25 yards on five targets. That was with Carson Wentz at quarterback, and Howell could easily play better than Wentz, which would help McLaurin. But he also has to deal with promising rookie Jahan Dotson -- who might be the better Fantasy play in Week 18 and has 23 targets in his past three outings -- and I'm not expecting a huge game from McLaurin this week.
