Commanders Rumors: Terry McLaurin 'Uncertain' for Week 1 amid Turf Toe Injury

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin's availability for Week 1 of the regular season is "uncertain," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

McLaurin sprained his right big toe during preseason action Monday. Although X-rays and an MRI showed "no major damage," per ESPN's John Keim, Schefter said similar injuries typically necessitate multiple weeks of recovery.

The Commanders open the 2023 regular season September 10 against the visiting Arizona Cardinals.

The Commanders defeated the Baltimore Ravens 29-28 in the preseason game during which McLaurin was injured, but that will be little comfort for Washington if they are missing their star wide receiver in Week 1.

McLaurin has started every Commanders game for the past two seasons and recorded a career-high 1,191 receiving yards on 77 catches in 2022.

Schefter's news comes two days after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport described there being "optimism" that McLaurin plays Week 1, because his injury is "more day-to-day than anything."

The reported injury to McLaurin's foot is commonly known as "turf toe." Turf toe is caused by the foot pushing up with the toe remaining flat, hyperextending the foot and resulting in a strain in the big toe joint, or the ball of the foot.

McLaurin appeared to suffer the injury late in the second quarter of Monday's preseason contest.

Similar turf toe injuries have been tied to career-ending ailments. Jordan Reed, former Pro Bowl tight end, retired in 2021 after suffering multiple concussions he said stemmed in part from a lack of agility caused by turf toe, ESPN's David Fleming reported.

Fleming also noted that several players had suffered knee, hip and ankle problems due to overcompensating for turf toe, which causes pain when pressure is placed on the foot.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that the team's plan was to continue monitoring, rehabilitation and treatment of McLaurin's injury, per The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala.

"We're going to keep him off his feet for a couple more days and then start getting him ready once we get into next week," Rivera said.

The Commanders are projected to be vying for the No. 1 pick in 2024, while McLaurin, who is signed through 2025, is set to remain a major part of Washington's offense throughout their upcoming rebuild. It would make sense if Rivera exercises caution in returning McLaurin to the field.