The Washington Commanders already knew they might be heading into Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts with out Jayden Daniels.
Now Marcus Mariota could possibly be requested to win with out two extra necessary items of Washington’s offense.
Terry McLaurin damage provides to Commanders’ issues
Washington formally dominated Daniels out Friday as he continues recovering from the dislocated left elbow he suffered in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys. It is going to be the second consecutive recreation Daniels has missed, leaving Mariota to make one other begin.
That was anticipated.
What occurred with Terry McLaurin wasn’t.
McLaurin wasn’t even listed on Washington’s damage report Wednesday or Thursday. Then a hamstring issue surfaced Friday, limiting him in observe and leaving him questionable for Sunday’s recreation in London.
The timing could not be a lot worse.
McLaurin is tied for Washington’s workforce lead with a 22% goal share and leads the Commanders with a 28.4% first-read goal share. Dropping that safety blanket can be troublesome sufficient with Daniels behind heart.
Doubtlessly shedding him whereas already beginning a backup quarterback is one other downside completely.
Marcus Mariota could possibly be working with a depleted offense
McLaurin is not Washington’s solely extra concern.
Operating again Rachaad White has already been dominated out with a shoulder damage after lacking observe all through the week. Beginning guard Sam Cosmi can be out with concussion and throat accidents.
Immediately, the state of affairs round Mariota appears to be like significantly completely different than it did following Washington’s 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Mariota played well rather than Daniels, finishing 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns with out throwing an interception.
He might have one other efficiency like that in opposition to Indianapolis.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt sits atop Washington’s depth chart at working again, whereas Austin Ekeler provides the Commanders one other veteran possibility within the backfield. Stefon Diggs would turn out to be much more necessary within the passing recreation if McLaurin cannot go.
There are nonetheless weapons obtainable.
There simply aren’t almost as many as Washington most likely anticipated to have.
Commanders want greater than Marcus Mariota in opposition to Colts
The straightforward storyline getting into Week 4 was at all times going to be Daniels’ absence.
Washington survived with out him as soon as. Mariota confirmed he is able to retaining the offense purposeful and profitable a recreation whereas Daniels recovers.
Sunday could possibly be a a lot more durable check.
It is one factor to interchange your beginning quarterback. It is one other to ask his substitute to compensate for accidents elsewhere on the similar time.
The Commanders already know Daniels and White will not play. Now they’re ready to search out out whether or not their No. 1 receiver will be part of them on the sideline.
If McLaurin cannot go, Daniels’ absence may not even be Washington’s largest offensive downside anymore.
It’s going to be every little thing lacking across the man changing him.
