Stefon

Diggs

With the Commanders down three receivers, Diggs appeared prime for a decent day against a Rams secondary that was down two corners. Instead, the 32-year-old receiver was outshone by journeyman Van Jefferson for most of the day until the final drive of the game. With the Commanders looking to mount a game-tying drive, Diggs broke free into the secondary to make a 42-yard reception, which accounted for nearly all of his receiving production. In two games without Terry McLaurin, Diggs has averaged just 5.5 targets per game and totaled 89 yards and a touchdown. He’s far from the target hog he was in his prime, and shouldn’t be treated as anything more than a WR3/WR4 on Thursday night against the Giants.

Offensive coordinator David Blough has made good on his promise not to increase the route participation or snap rate of the veteran receiver in the absence of Terry McLaurin, effectively keeping Diggs relegated to a situational role primarily from the slot. That has left Treylon Burks and rookie Antonio Williams to lead the team in routes the previous two weeks while limiting the true ceiling of Diggs in the process. Consider Diggs a touchdown-dependent FLEX option in a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 9.

He should be a mid-range WR3 with Terry McLaurin out of the picture in Washington. Diggs practiced in full each of the last two sessions of the week after a Wednesday DNP.

Diggs shook of the absence Wednesday with a full showing Thursday, indicating he is tracking well to suit up when the Commanders face off against the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The tam previously indicated that Diggs’ modest role would not grow in the absence of Terry McLaurin, potentially paving the way for rookie Antonio Williams to see an increase in role and opportunity in the second half of the season. Fantasy managers will want to confirm Diggs’ status on the final injury report Friday, but it appears as if he will be available in Week 8.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn already said Diggs won’t practice Wednesday, so this is not a surprise. Quinn also confirmed the veteran will return to practice Thursday and the additional rest designation should stave off concerns of Diggs dealing with a long-term injury. He should be in the WR3/FLEX mix for Week 8 against the Eagles. Also not practicing for the Commanders was TE John Bates (shoulder).

Diggs won’t practice Wednesday with an undisclosed injury. He should be fine for Washington’s Week 8 matchup against the Eagles, however. Diggs could see a slightly bigger role in the Commanders offense with Terry McLaurin (knee) done for the year. Diggs drafters should keep an eye on the veteran’s practice status in the coming days. Diggs has been targeted on a team-high 28 percent of his pass routes in 2026.

Quinn did mention usage from “elsewhere” and the name “Antonio Williams” came up. Williams won’t be a buzzy waiver wire claim this week but could find himself in a reasonable WR3/WR4 sort of situation as the year unfolds.

It’s another rough blow for Washington’s No. 1 wideout, who will now have missed most of the last two seasons with injuries with the book closed on a 15-catch, 230-yard 2026 season in just five games. Entering his age-32 season in 2027, McLaurin will be a release or restructure candidate with a $34 million cap hit. The Commanders could save $16 million by releasing him without getting into post-June 1 antics. In the short term fantasy calculus, Stefon Diggs will slide in as Washington’s No. 1 receiver and Chig Okonkwo will also get a boost. Antonio Williams figures to see more snaps going forward as well.

While the end line looks good in the box score, the fact that Diggs continued to operate in a situational role following the departure of Terry McLaurin in the first quarter was somewhat concerning for the veteran receiver’s upside potential in McLaurin’s absence, although the fact that he came into the game listed as questionable with a hamstring injury could have influenced his snap rate. Either way, Diggs continues to produce when on the field, returning significant value for fantasy managers that invested a middle-round pick for his services this summer. Diggs will be an upside WR3 when the Commanders take on the division rival Eagles in Week 8 following their bye.

Diggs returns from a one-game absence due a hamstring injury. Although possible he sees his route participation curtailed, fantasy managers that made it this far are likely forced to ride with the veteran receiver in a solid schematic matchup against the zone-heavy 49ers. Inactive for the Commanders are QB Marcus Mariota, CB Fabian Moreau, CB Isaac Yiadom, OLB T.J. Magunranyanga, G Tanoa Togiai, and DE Charles Omenihu.