The Washington Commanders will be without Terry McLaurin for the rest of the 2026 season after testing confirmed a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. Head coach Dan Quinn said the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver will undergo surgery following the injury suffered in Monday night’s 23-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
What changed for the franchise
McLaurin went down during the first quarter after making a 27-yard reception on Washington’s opening possession. Later in the drive, he became tangled with 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir while running a pass route, fell to the turf and immediately grabbed his left knee. Medical personnel placed an air cast on the leg before he was taken from the field on a cart.
The 31-year-old had already missed one game this season because of a hamstring issue. The season-ending knee injury is the most serious of his eight-year NFL career. He was sidelined for seven games in 2025 while dealing with quad, core-muscle and groin injuries.
McLaurin exits with 15 catches, 230 receiving yards and one touchdown. He has produced five 1,000-yard seasons and earned two Pro Bowl selections during his time in Washington.
The Commanders also placed starting running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve earlier Monday, leaving an offense that has not won in its last three games without two key contributors.
Washington is 1-4-1 after the defeat to unbeaten San Francisco, but remains within reach in a struggling NFC East. The New York Giants lead the division at 3-2-1, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at 2-4, with Washington behind them. Every NFC East club went without a win over the past two weeks.
Stefon Diggs is now positioned to become quarterback Jayden Daniels’ primary receiving option. Dyami Brown, rookie Antonio Williams and Treylon Burks are expected to take on expanded workloads following McLaurin’s absence.
