The Washington Commanders will have some extended rest this weekend, which is precisely what they needed after six consecutive losses have dropped them to a pitiful 3-8 on the year.
They are the NFL's single biggest disappointment, especially after qualifying for the NFC Championship game last year and starting 2025 with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. A multitude of factors have contributed, but above all, it's been a historically awful case of the injury bug.
The Commanders are currently missing their Week 1 starting quarterback, starting running back, top wide receiver, both starting defensive ends, two of three starting cornerbacks, a starting safety, and more.
Most of the players alluded to above are out for the season, but one central hole has a chance to be repaired. It must be, if Washington is going to make any progress at all in the final six contests.
Commanders need their injured wide receivers to get back quickly
While all the attention has been on the Commanders' struggling defense, Kliff Kingsbury's offense has averaged 14 points per game over its past four games. That will happen when Washington is without two-time Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin, as well as Noah Brown and Luke McCaffrey, for an extended period.
Additionally, midseason signing Treylon Burks missed the Commanders' Week 11 matchup in Madrid, and rookie Jaylin Lane got banged up. By the end of the game, Marcus Mariota was depending upon Chris Moore and Jacoby Jones as key contributors.
The good news is that all of those wideouts, except for McCaffrey, should be returning soon. McLaurin has been week-to-week with a quad injury for the second time this year, but could be on track to play in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. Brown has been on injured reserve with a groin issue for most of the campaign, but his setback has not been deemed season-ending.
The injuries to Burks and Lane seem to be short-term. Both should be back when the Commanders host Sunday Night Football.
Of course, the most significant injury question mark of all is quarterback Jayden Daniels. He is progressing from his dislocated elbow and should play again in 2025, but the timing remains unclear. By the time he returns, it will be crucial for the Commanders to boast an array of weapons that's as close to complete as possible. But with the signal-caller proclaiming he'll be ready next weekend, time is of the essence.
The Commanders aren't going to make the playoffs this season, but they could still build chemistry that can pay off in the long run. That starts with getting the team's expected group of pass-catchers back.