The Washington Commanders are heading into their pivotal Week 7 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys with a depleted wide receiver corps, a scenario that’s sure to test the depth and resilience of this NFC East squad. On Saturday, October 18, 2025, the Commanders officially downgraded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to out for Sunday’s matchup in Dallas, citing a lingering and increasingly aggravating heel injury. The news, confirmed by the team, leaves quarterback Jayden Daniels without not just one, but his top three receiving targets as the Commanders try to keep pace in a competitive division.
Samuel, who joined Washington in a high-profile trade from the San Francisco 49ers this past March, had been a beacon of consistency and playmaking for the Commanders through the first six games of the season. He leads the team with 34 receptions, tallying 315 yards and three touchdowns, while also contributing 45 rushing yards and a rushing score. Yet, the heel injury that’s nagged him for weeks finally proved too much, despite his efforts to play through the pain in recent outings. Samuel did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday leading up to the game, and only managed a limited session on Friday—sparking hope among fans and fantasy football managers alike that he might be ready. But as Samuel himself put it, the injury was simply “aggravating.”
“We’ll just have to see,” Samuel said Friday, when asked if he expected to suit up against Dallas. The Commanders’ medical staff and head coach Dan Quinn ultimately made the tough call to keep their star receiver off the field and off the trip to Dallas. Quinn acknowledged earlier in the week that Samuel’s status would be a day-to-day management issue, saying, “It’s something we have to be careful with.”
Samuel’s absence compounds an already dire situation for Washington at the receiver position. Star wideout Terry McLaurin, who has missed three consecutive games with a quad injury, was ruled out again for Week 7 after being downgraded to a non-participant in practices on Thursday and Friday. McLaurin had shown signs of progress with a limited session on Wednesday, but the Commanders opted for caution, keeping him sidelined for a fourth straight contest. In addition, Noah Brown, another key target, remains on injured reserve after suffering a groin injury in Week 2 and missing the last four games. With all three top receivers unavailable, the Commanders’ offense faces a daunting task in Dallas.
So, who steps up for Jayden Daniels and the Washington attack? The answer: a mix of youth, unheralded talent, and a dash of family pedigree. Luke McCaffrey, younger brother of San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey, is expected to shoulder much of the receiving load. McCaffrey has already shown flashes this season, posting 179 receiving yards and three touchdowns on just eight receptions—a remarkable efficiency that has fantasy football managers scrambling to add him to their lineups this weekend. With both Samuel and McLaurin out, McCaffrey’s target share is certain to spike, making him a must-watch player as the Commanders try to exploit a Dallas secondary that’s struggled at times this year.
It won’t be a one-man show, though. Rookie Jaylin Lane and journeyman Chris Moore are also set for increased roles. Both players have seen limited action so far, but the Week 7 game presents a golden opportunity to make a mark. Notably, both McCaffrey and Moore found the end zone in last Monday night’s loss to the Chicago Bears, demonstrating that they can step up when called upon. Lane, meanwhile, is eager to prove himself on a big stage, and with the Commanders’ options so thin, he’s likely to see more snaps and targets than at any point this season.
The Commanders’ depth chart for Sunday’s game is a testament to the team’s current adversity. Only three wide receivers—McCaffrey, Lane, and Moore—are on the active roster. The practice squad includes Ja’Corey Brooks, Treylon Burks, and Jacoby Jones, but as of Saturday, the team had not elevated Burks, a former first-round pick recently signed after recovering from a broken collarbone. Instead, Washington opted to bring up Robbie Chosen from the practice squad for the Dallas game, adding another layer of intrigue to the receiving rotation.
For Jayden Daniels, the rookie quarterback, Sunday’s contest represents a significant challenge. The absence of his top targets means he’ll need to develop quick chemistry with a patchwork group of receivers. Daniels has shown poise in the pocket and a willingness to spread the ball around, but the pressure is on to keep Washington’s offense moving against a Cowboys defense that, while inconsistent, has shown flashes of dominance. The Commanders’ coaching staff will likely lean on creative play-calling, perhaps utilizing McCaffrey’s versatility and Lane’s speed to generate mismatches.
It’s not lost on fantasy football managers, either. The late-breaking news of Samuel’s official status sent a ripple through fantasy leagues, with McCaffrey becoming one of the hottest waiver-wire pickups of the week. As ESPN put it, “If you need him for your fantasy team this weekend, there’s no time like the present to add him!” With McLaurin out and Samuel sidelined, McCaffrey’s upside is hard to ignore for anyone looking to gain an edge in Week 7.
The Commanders’ injury woes at wide receiver are the latest twist in a season already full of ups and downs. After an offseason of high expectations—bolstered by the acquisition of Samuel and the promise of a dynamic passing attack—Washington finds itself scrambling for answers. The coaching staff’s ability to adapt, and the young receivers’ capacity to rise to the occasion, will be under the microscope in Dallas. Meanwhile, the Cowboys, sensing an opportunity to capitalize on their rivals’ misfortune, will be eager to put pressure on Daniels and force the inexperienced receiving corps into mistakes.
As the Commanders prepare to take the field in Dallas, all eyes will be on how this reshuffled offense responds to adversity. Can McCaffrey deliver on the hype? Will Lane or Moore emerge as reliable targets? And can Daniels maintain his composure with so many moving pieces around him? The answers will unfold on Sunday afternoon, with the stakes as high as ever in the NFC East.
With the Commanders’ top three receivers sidelined and a new-look lineup set to face the Cowboys, this Week 7 clash promises plenty of intrigue—and perhaps a few surprises. One thing’s for sure: Washington’s resilience and resourcefulness will be put to the test in Dallas.
