Washington Commanders Set To Get Two Key Offensive Pieces Back For Week 8
The Washington Commanders are catching a break at just the right time. After limping through recent weeks with a depleted receiving corps, they’re getting both Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel back for Monday night’s showdown against the Chiefs. And let me tell you, Marcus Mariota has to be breathing a massive sigh of relief.
McLaurin has been sidelined for four games, nursing a quad injury that’s been nagging him since Week 3 against the Raiders. Samuel missed last week’s contest with a bruised heel that had been bothering him for a couple of weeks. Both guys were full participants in practice all week, and Head Coach Dan Quinn gave them the green light.
Why This Matters For Washington’s Offense
Commanders HC Dan Quinn confirmed WRs Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. will both be active for Monday night’s game against the Chiefs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 25, 2025
Here’s the thing—the Commanders have actually been pretty solid offensively despite the injury carnage. They’re sitting 10th in scoring and 13th in total yards. Not bad for a team that’s been playing musical chairs with its personnel. But if you’ve been watching closely, you’ve noticed some cracks starting to show.
Their rushing attack, which had been absolutely cooking early in the season, has hit a wall. Over the last two games, running backs averaged just 3.6 yards per carry compared to a blistering 6.06 in the first five weeks. That’s a massive drop-off, and it’s no coincidence. Teams like Chicago and Dallas have figured out they can stack the box and dare Washington to beat them through the air.
McLaurin’s Return Could Not Come at a Better Time
“Being able to accelerate and run by people and slam on the brakes, that’s my game,” McLaurin said Friday. “My injury hindered a lot of that, but I feel really good right now.”
That’s music to Commanders fans’ ears. McLaurin isn’t just any receiver—he’s the guy who forces defensive coordinators to lose sleep. When he’s on the field, defenses have to respect the deep ball. They can’t just load eight in the box and suffocate the run game.
Samuel leads the team with 34 catches for 315 yards and 3 touchdowns. McLaurin, despite missing four games, still has 10 grabs for 149 yards. Getting both of them back simultaneously? That’s a legitimate game-changer for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
What This Means for Washington’s Supporting Cast
The return of these two stars will shift the entire offensive dynamic. Chris Moore, Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, and Tight End Zach Ertz have been stepping up admirably in their absence, but they’ll see fewer targets now. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—it means better matchups and less defensive attention when they do get the ball.
“There’s no doubt there’s certain coverages that teams aren’t willing to play when you have guys like that on the field,” OC Kliff Kingsbury said. “So they can definitely help open things up.”
He’s absolutely right. The Chiefs’ defense will have to pick its poison on Monday night. Do they crowd the line and risk getting torched deep by McLaurin? Do they play back and let Washington’s rushing attack, currently second in the league in yards per game, control the tempo?
The Timing Couldn’t Be Better (Or Worse)
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Mariota is making his third start of the season with Jayden Daniels out with a hamstring injury. The Commanders are 3-4 and desperately need a statement win against a 4-3 Chiefs team that’s had its own struggles this season.
Getting McLaurin and Samuel back gives Mariota legitimate weapons to work with. These aren’t developmental players or practice squad call-ups—these are proven playmakers who can win one-on-one battles and make life easier for their quarterback.
Washington ranks seventh in yards per play but a concerning 24th on third downs. That is the kind of stat that’ll haunt you in close games. Having McLaurin and Samuel available should help move the chains and keep drives alive, especially against a Kansas City defense that’s vulnerable at times.
The Road Ahead For the Commanders
This isn’t just about one game against the Chiefs. Washington needs to get healthy and stay healthy if it wants to make noise in the NFC. Noah Brown hasn’t played since Week 2 and landed on injured reserve mid-October. The receiving corps has been held together with duct tape and prayers.
Getting McLaurin back to 100 percent is crucial. He said he was close in recent weeks but wanted to make sure he was truly ready. Smart move. There’s no point rushing back and risking a setback that could derail the entire season.
The Commanders have dealt with a revolving door of injuries all year, which partly explains their 3-4 record. But if they can get some stability, starting Monday night with two of their best offensive weapons returning, there’s real potential here. Mariota isn’t Daniels, but he’s a capable veteran who can manage a game when he’s got playmakers around him. Give him McLaurin stretching the field and Samuel making plays after the catch, and suddenly this offense looks a whole lot more dangerous.
Monday night in Kansas City will tell us a lot about where this Commanders team is headed. With McLaurin and Samuel back in the mix, they’ve got a fighting chance to make some noise.
