WR McLaurin has season-ending knee injury, Commanders' Quinn says

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  John KeimOct 20, 2026, 03:11 PM ET

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  John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio.

Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin tore the patellar tendon in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season, coach Dan Quinn said.

McLaurin suffered the injury late in the first quarter of Monday's 23-17 loss at San Francisco. The injury also calls into question his future with the Commanders.

"Man, he brings a lot on and off the field," Quinn said. "It's a big hit, and we'll lean on a number of guys."

McLaurin, 31, leads Washington with 230 yards receiving on 15 receptions. He finished with one catch for 27 yards Monday. But with two minutes, 16 seconds left in the opening quarter, McLaurin was injured while cutting on a route; the play ended with a sack of quarterback Jayden Daniels.

McLaurin also missed a Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts after injuring his hamstring two days before the game, but he returned a week later.

He sat out seven games in 2025, ending a streak of 72 consecutive games played. Before last season, he had been a consistent producer, with five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, from 2020 to 2024.

He has been the emotional engine of Washington's offense since joining the team as a third-round pick in 2019. He also was named a captain for this season.

McLaurin became a fan favorite and a face for the franchise during a turbulent period that featured five losing seasons in his first seven years; multiple investigations into the franchise and former team owner Dan Snyder and a sale of the team.

McLaurin also played with 13 different starting quarterbacks until Daniels arrived in 2024. It was the first time he played with the same opening day starter in consecutive seasons.

But now McLaurin's future with Washington could be in jeopardy. He signed a three-year extension in 2025 after missing all of training camp during negotiations. The deal allowed Washington to either release him after the season or to restructure. Otherwise, he would count $34 million against the salary cap and $39.5 million in 2028.

If he is released, Washington would save approximately $8.5 million on the cap next year.

The Commanders can use several receivers to compensate for McLauren's absence, including Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown and rookie Antonio Williams. Stefon Diggs has started opposite McLaurin.