The Washington Commanders already know they will enter Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts without Jayden Daniels.
Now Marcus Mariota could be asked to win without two more important parts of Washington’s offense.
Terry McLaurin’s injury adds to the Commanders’ woes
Washington officially waived Daniels on Friday as he continues to recover from a dislocated left elbow he suffered against Dallas Cowboys. It was the second straight game Daniels missed, leaving Mariota to start again.
That is to be expected.
What happened to Terry McLaurin was not.
McLaurin wasn’t even listed on Washington’s injury report Wednesday or Thursday. Then a hamstring issue cropped up on Friday, limiting him in training and leaving him questionable for Sunday’s game in London.
The timing couldn’t be worse.
McLaurin is tied for the Washington team lead with a 22% target share and leads the Commanders with a 28.4% first read target share. Losing that security blanket would be difficult enough if Daniels were behind center.
Potentially losing him as a starting backup quarterback is another problem.
Marcus Mariota may be working with a depleted offense
McLaurin isn’t Washington’s only additional concern.
Running back Rachaad White has been ruled out with a shoulder injury after not practicing all week. Starting guard Sam Cosmi is also out due to concussion and throat injuries.
Suddenly, the situation around Mariota looks a lot different than it did after Washington’s 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Mariota played well in place of Daniels, completing 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
He may need another performance like the one against Indianapolis.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt sits atop Washington’s depth chart at running back, while Austin Ekeler gives the Commanders another veteran option in the backfield. Stefon Diggs will be more important in the passing game if McLaurin can’t go.
There are still weapons available.
Just not nearly as much as Washington probably hoped.
The Commanders need more than Marcus Mariota against the Colts
The easy storyline going into Week 4 was always going to be Daniels’ loss.
Washington lived without him once. Mariota has shown he can keep the offense running and win a game while Daniels is on the mend.
Sunday could be a tougher test.
It’s one thing to replace your starting quarterback. It is another to ask his replacement to pay for damages elsewhere at the same time.
The Commanders already knew that Daniels and White would not play. Now they are waiting to find out if their No. 1 receiver will join them on the sideline.
If McLaurin can’t go, Daniels’ absence might not be Washington’s biggest offensive problem.
Everything around the man who will replace him will disappear.