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Jayden Daniels - Knee
Almost 100% of the time when a QB practices leading up to a game, he plays. But with the way the Commanders med staff is operating this year they’re playing it extremely safe. Given the fact that he’s been practicing and looking good this week, it would be legitimately shocking to see him miss Week 5.
Projected Return: Week 5
Terry McLaurin - Quad
McLaurin left with a quad strain. Typically, these injuries don’t take long to recover from. Until we hear more, we tentatively expect McLaurin to play in the short term. Adam Schefter called him “uncertain” for Week 4.
Projected Return: Week 5-7
Update: Quad injuries don’t typically take as much time as other soft tissue injuries which is why I was optimistic. Clearly this is a bigger issue than we thought. If McLaurin can practice without setbacks next week, Week 5 is in the cards.
Chris Godwin - Ankle fracture
These injuries take a long time to truly recover from. Historical data shows WRs can bounce back but it likely won’t be a massive performance for Godwin this week.
Projected Return: Week 4
CeeDee Lamb - High Ankle
The average amount of missed time with injuries this severe is 2.4 games. The median is 2 games. Specifically for WRs who tried to return at 2 weeks or before, 25% of them reinjured. Lamb might try to give it a go earlier than that, but it’s not likely he can do it without a severe reinjury risk.
Projected Return: Week 6-7
Mike Evans: Hamstring
We’ve done this dance with Evans before.
Hamstring strains, also known as “soft tissue” injuries, can be particularly challenging for players due to their high 30% reinjury rate. Evans, in particular, is in his 30s and has been dealing with this issue for years so even if he plays, he’s at severe reinjury risk.
After these injuries, WRs have an 18% Week Winner rate. In other words? High-risk, high-reward.
Projected Return: Week 6-8
Xavier Worthy - Shoulder
Worthy doesn’t carry a designation heading into this week. His WR skills shouldn’t be diminished but he’s highly volatile. One hit to the shoulder and he’s out with surgery on the table.
Colston Loveland - Hip
Loveland landed on his hip hard — definitely painful, but Schefter reports it’s not serious. He’s likely to play as long as he practices this week.
Projected Return: Week 4
Tyrone Tracy - Shoulder Dislocation
Projected Return: Week 6-8
Michael Mayer - Concussion
Projected Return: TBD
Projected Returns
J.J. McCarthy - High Ankle
Projected Return: Week 6-7
Brandon Aiyuk - ACL
Projected Return: Week 5
Joe Burrow - Toe
Projected Return: 2026
Xavier Worthy - Shoulder
Projected Return: Week 4
Brock Purdy - Toe
Projected Return: Week 4
Jayden Daniels - Knee
Projected Return: Week 5
James Conner - Ankle
Projected Return: 2026
Najee Harris - Achilles
Projected Return: 2026
