Deebo

Samuel

Samuel had practiced in full until Friday, when he was a surprise DNP. Most illnesses that come on this late aren’t truly status-threatening, though Samuel had a bout with pneumonia last year that sounded incredibly scary. We’d still consider him on the optimistic side of questionable for Week 15. He’ll be on the WR3 line if active.

Facing a third-and-fourteen on the Commanders’ opening possession, Deebo caught a screen pass and turned it upfield for a 15-yard gain — his biggest play of the day. His most notable play, however, was the dropped end zone target he had on a fourth-and-goal a few plays later that immediately ended the Commanders’ best shot at a touchdown all afternoon. Samuel’s six targets tied Terry McLaurin for the team lead in this one. He’ll have some upside as a FLEX play in Week 15’s game against the Giants.

Samuel took a backseat to tight end Zach Ertz and alpha wide receiver Terry McLaurin in what was the first full game from McLaurin since Week 2, seeing just seven looks to the 14 of McLaurin and the 13 of Ertz. He was also tackled just short of the goal line in overtime on what could have been a ceiling-saving touchdown catch. Fantasy managers have some reason for concern considering quarterback Marcus Mariota set a career high with 50 pass attempts in the overtime affair. Samuel’s days of consistent fantasy production could be behind him in 2025 if McLaurin takes over as the main option in the passing game.

Samuel also added three yards on his lone carry. Deebo has struggled to generate explosive plays this year, but that wasn’t the case versus Miami. He gashed the Dolphins in the second quarter, turning a short catch into a 20-yard score by cutting across the field after securing the grab. Samuel also broke off a 28-yard catch later in the game, eventually setting up a potential game-winning field goal from Matt Gay. Gay missed the kick and the Commanders lost in overtime. With Terry McLaurin uncertain to return after the team’s Week 12 bye, Samuel will likely stay in the WR2 ranks for Week 13 versus the Broncos.

Over the past month, Samuel has managed just 96 yards in four games. The touchdown saves you if you were forced to start him, but between Washington’s lack of Jayden Daniels and Samuel’s heel injury, the WR2 we thought we were seeing early in the year has melted into a WR3. The Dolphins should provide a bounceback opportunity for Samuel next week in Europe, but until we see a big game again he’ll be hard to trust.

Samuel and the rest of the Washington receiving cadre will be without quarterback Jayden Daniels for the foreseeable future after the second-year starter injured his left arm in the fourth quarter of the blowout loss. The five receptions were a season low in games started by Daniels, but Samuel has caught only 11 balls in three Marcus Mariota starts this season. Fantasy managers are likely best looking elsewhere for wide receiver production, starting in Week 10 when the Commanders host the Lions.

Samuel’s drop occurred in the red zone on the team’s first possession, with the pass going through his hands, off his face mask, and into the waiting arms of Kansas City defensive end Mike Danna. It was a forgettable performance from the veteran slot man, who also saw his usage cut into with the return of Terry McLaurin. That said, McLaurin failed to finish the game after tweaking his quad injury, something fantasy managers will want to track closely as the team prepares to host the Seahawks in Week 9. Another missed contest from McLaurin could leave Samuel as the team’s top pass-catcher yet again, a situation that could warrant WR2 potential in fantasy circles.

Samuel and Terry McLaurin (quad) have both practiced in full over the last two days, putting them on track to play in Week 8 against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Samuel will be a WR3 in fantasy, with McLaurin expectedly back in the fold. The wide receiver duo will be catching passes from capable backup QB Marcus Mariota, with QB Jayden Daniels (hamstring) sidelined.

Samuel told reporters that his heel is “not an issue” anymore. When asked about his Week 7 absence, Samuel said that “it was kind of nagging a little bit last week,” so the team made the “correct decision to take an extra week to get ready” for the Commanders’ Week 8 game against the Chiefs. With No. 1 WR Terry McLaurin (quad) expectedly returning, Samuel sits in the WR3 tier.

On Monday, Quinn said “the plan” is for Samuel and WR Terry McLaurin (quad) to have a “full” week of practice this week, seemingly indicating that both players are expected to practice in full from Thursday through Saturday. If so, they can be expected to suit up on Monday night against the Chiefs. The official injury report will reveal Samuel’s participation level later today.