Terry McLaurin (hamstring) limited to begin Week 6

The Commanders added a “rest” designation to McLaurin’s report, so fantasy managers should not be alarmed by today’s absence. The veteran wide receiver played through the injury last week and should be expected to do so again this week. McLaurin is a WR2 against the 49ers in Week 6’s Monday Night Football game.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he is hopeful Diggs will get some practice reps in later this week. Diggs missed Week 5 with the hamstring issue, and a DNP today puts him on the wrong side of questionable for Week 6, even if Quinn remains optimistic. Terry McLaurin and Chig Okonkwo led the team in receiving last week. McLaurin should pull away from Okonkwo as he puts more time between himself and the hamstring injury that previously knocked him out for a week.

It was reported before the game that McLaurin would not be a full go after he was limited in practice all week with a hamstring injury. While McLaurin would finish the game with the third-most snaps played by any Commanders receiver, his 28 routes run were tied for the most of any player on the team. McLaurin converted all four of his targets into receptions on Sunday, with his biggest gain coming on a 22-yard reception in overtime that looked to be the start of an eventual game-winning drive for Washington. McLaurin’s 62 receiving yards led all of Washington’s pass-catchers in this one, and he has now totaled 50 or more yards in three straight games. If Stefon Diggs, who missed this week’s game (hamstring) is able to suit up next week against the 49ers, McLaurin will profile as a fringe WR2/WR3.

While it’s good news that McLaurin is active, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported earlier that he is “likely not a full go” for Sunday’s game. To make matters worse, the Commanders and Giants are expected to battle it out in soggy conditions all afternoon, which could further limit McLaurin’s upside in this one. Fantasy managers hoping to play him need to temper expectations given his status and the game’s conditions, and shouldn’t consider McLaurin as anything more than a mid-to-low-end WR3. The Commanders announced WR Stefon Diggs (hamstring), QB Marcus Mariota (knee), S Tyler Owens (hamstring), S Nick Cross (illness), S Percy Butler (hamstring), OG Tanoa Togiai, and DE Charles Omenihu (groin/ankle) are inactive for Week 5.

McLaurin is listed as questionable for Week 5 after getting in a single limited practice on Friday. Even if he does play, McLaurin will likely be on a pitch count. Stefon Diggs has already been ruled out with a hamstring issue of his own. Rookie Antonio Williams will be asked to step up whether or not McLaurin is active.

Keep it locked to Rotoworld, folks. Hopefully, we get word on McLaurin’s status on Saturday, but it appears as though we may have to wait until Sunday morning. Fowler adds that rookie WR Antonio Williams “could be a factor in the passing game regardless of whether McLaurin plays.”

McLaurin could end up playing here, but he would be a risk for an in-game aggravation. The Commanders’ No. 1 wide receiver was sidelined on Wednesday and Thursday before upgrading to a limited session on Friday. Hopefully, weekend reports on the injury shed light on things. If active, he is a WR2 if active.

Diggs was unable to get on the practice field this week and will likely be ruled out for Week 5’s game against the Giants in the next few hours. Rookie receiver Antonio Williams would again be in line for a busy day and could be the favorite to lead the team in targets this week, especially if Terry McLaurin (hamstring) also misses this week. McLaurin’s status remains wait and see after he was spotted on the practice field Friday after being a DNP on the first two days.

McLaurin could technically return later in the session and go down as a limited participant, but we highly doubt that will happen. He will be listed as a DNP for the second day in a row, making it extremely unlikely he is available for Week 5. After facing the Giants this week, the Commanders get a slightly longer rest period before taking on the 49ers on Monday in Week 6. If they are worried about McLaurin re-aggravating the issue, they get their bye the following week, which would give him plenty of time to recover. For now, Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams will lead the team’s receiver room.

After missing Week 4 as a late addition to the injury report, it looks like McLaurin is set to miss his second game because of the hamstring issue. If healthy, Stefon Diggs will operate as Jayden Daniels’ No. 1 receiver. Diggs himself is now dealing with a hamstring injury, so there’s no guarantee he’s available either. Antonio Williams and Chig Okonkwo could see more work if both wideouts can’t play this week.