Terry McLaurin is inactive for the Washington Commanders’ Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, the team confirmed Sunday. The wide receiver was dealing with a hamstring injury that popped up on Friday, and Washington held him out for the first time all season, according to the Associated Press.
What the team and sources said
McLaurin was added to the Week 4 injury report Friday after the hamstring issue limited him in the Commanders’ final practice of the week, according to CBS Sports. He carried a questionable tag into Sunday, and Washington was initially hopeful he could play through it.
That optimism faded Saturday. Commanders beat writer Ben Standig reported that McLaurin was “likely” to miss the game, a claim echoed by Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports before the team made it official Sunday. The Commanders ultimately erred on the side of caution rather than risk further damage to the hamstring.
McLaurin is not the only key piece missing from Washington’s lineup in London. Quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) and running back Rachaad White (shoulder) are also inactive, along with wide receiver Luke McCaffrey and outside linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste, per the AP. Guard Sam Cosmi (concussion/throat) and safety Nick Cross (illness) did not even make the trip to London.
Who replaces him
With McLaurin sidelined, Stefon Diggs becomes Washington’s clear No. 1 target in the passing game. Rookie Antonio Williams is expected to see an expanded workload after what Yahoo Sports described as “impressive early-season signs” through three weeks.
Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown round out the receiver options, along with Jaylin Lane. Tight end Chigozeim Okonkwo and running backs Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Austin Ekeler are expected to see extra work in the passing game.
Washington elevated running back Craig Reynolds and linebacker Ale Kaho from the practice squad Saturday to help offset the absences, per the AP. With Daniels also out, Marcus Mariota is set to start at quarterback and distribute targets across that thinned-out receiver group.
Season context
McLaurin has been Washington’s top receiving threat all season. He caught six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown in the Commanders’ 33-31 win over the Seattle Seahawks last week.
This marks the first game McLaurin has missed in 2026.
What’s next
McLaurin’s next chance to play comes in Washington’s Week 5 game, though no official timeline for his return has been given. The Commanders will provide an update on his status ahead of that contest.s next chance to play comes in Washington’s Week 5 game, though no official timeline for his return has been given.
s next
Washington and Indianapolis are both 1-2 entering this early Sunday window in London, a matchup detailed in published before kickoff. The loser faces a difficult path back into playoff contention this early in the season.
The Commanders’ injury situation, which also includes Daniels’ elbow issue , will be worth monitoring as the week progresses toward the next injury report.
Reporting from CBS Sports, The Associated Press, Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports contributed to this story.
