Terry McLaurin Could Return from Injury for Commanders vs. Bears, HC 'Optimistic'

Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin has missed the team's last two games because of a quad injury, but he might be back on the field for the Week 6 contest against the Chicago Bears.

Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Monday "we are optimistic" when discussing McLaurin's status.

He also said the Commanders will have a better idea later in the week, especially since they get an additional day to prepare with the game scheduled for Monday Night Football.

The timing of the injury was unfortunate for McLaurin, who missed much of training camp while negotiating a new contract and had shown improvement from game-to-game in the first three contests.

He posted just 27 receiving yards in the opener against the New York Giants, 48 yards in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers and 74 yards in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. It seemed like he was just starting to get back into a rhythm before he was forced to the sidelines.

Washington went 1-1 without him with a Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons when Jayden Daniels was also sidelined and Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Chargers following the quarterback's return.

When healthy, McLaurin is Washington's No. 1 option in the aerial attack with five straight seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards. He also posted a career-high 13 touchdown catches during the 2024 campaign, which was his first working with Daniels.

Noah Brown has also been sidelined by injury for the Commanders, which has forced them to rely even more on Deebo Samuel, Zach Ertz and Luke McCaffrey in the passing game.

The trio could likely put up impressive numbers against a Bears team that is 28th in the league in points allowed per game and missing star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, but Washington is far more dangerous when McLaurin is on the field. The attention he draws alone helps those other options find openings, and he is difficult to guard in one-on-one scenarios even for healthy secondaries.

Fortunately for the Commanders, it seems like the Ohio State product may make his return in the next contest.