Luke McCaffrey
Getty
Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey.
It didn’t even take one half for the Washington Commanders to run into some bad luck against the Seattle Seahawks in a must-win Week 9 home matchup.
The Commanders, already down bad in terms of skill position injuries, took another direct hit when second year wide receiver and return specialist Luke McCaffrey was injured and quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.
“Commanders ruled outLuke McCaffrey due to a shoulder injury,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account.
McCaffrey appeared to hurt his shoulder when he was slammed to the ground returning the opening kickoff.
The Commanders were already down one wide receiver with NFL All-Pro Terry McLaurin out with a quad injury — the fifth game McLaurin has missed this season.
McCaffrey has been having a breakout year in his second season. After finishing with just 18 receptions for 168 yards and zero touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, he has 11 receptions for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns through 8 games to go with 953 all purpose yards as the Commanders’ full time kick returner.
Gamblers Lose Minds Over McCaffrey Injury
Perhaps the biggest reaction to McCaffrey’s injury online came from the world of gambling, where bettors across the country who bet on offensive prop bets involving McCaffrey lost their collective minds.
How, they asked, could any bet on McCaffrey’s offensive prop bets be in play if he never played an offensive down?
“FanDuel, I need myLuke McCaffrey bets to be voided.” NFL Podcaster Damian Adams wrote on his official X account.
“SinceLuke McCaffrey got injured before playing a single offensive snap do his first quarter yards get voided?” Betting Dad wrote on X.
“We’re aware thatLuke McCaffrey left the game during the 1st Quarter with a possible injury,” FanDuel Support wrote on its official X account. “His status is being monitored. We will provide further Bet Protect updates as they become available.”
“Luke McCaffrey has been ruled OUT —#EarlyExit is in effect,” DraftKings Support wrote on its official X account. “All qualifying bets (including LIVE) will be honored, and withdrawable cash credits will be distributed within 24 hours.”
McCaffrey Bounced Back From Rough Rookie Year
McCaffrey is the son of former NFL wide receiver and 3-time Super Bowl champion Ed McCaffrey, his father, and the younger brother of San Francisco 49ers running back and 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey.
The Commanders seemed like they may have reached to get McCaffrey with a third round pick (No. 100 overall) in the 2024 NFL draft.
“He’s got size, he’s got speed, he’s got great movement skills, and I think he’s only going to ascend,” Washington general manager Adam Peters told Commanders.com’s Zach Selby in May 2024.
This year, McCaffrey has seemed like an entirely different player.
In a much needed win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5, McCaffrey set up a score with a 50-yard reception from fellow 2024 rookie Jayden Daniels.
“Luke McCaffrey three weeks in a row showing why the Commanders staff have stayed consistently high on him,” Last of the Fullbacks wrote on its official X account on October 5. “A lot of potential in a guy still only in year 2 of learning to play WR full time.”