Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Commanders Add Former First-Round WR After Tough Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 12:00 PM ET

The Commanders have taken a step back so far this year amid a litany of injuries.
Terry McLaurin has missed the last three games and Deebo Samuel will be out Sunday as well.
Washington added Treylon Burks to the practice squad to bolster the receiver room.

The Washington Commanders entered the offseason with a mountain of expectations after an unexpected trip to the NFC Championship Game last season.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the charge with a dynamic style of play and strong connection that he built with wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Unfortunately, McLaurin stayed away from the team for a large portion of the summer in a heated contract dispute, and the vibes have been off ever since. Washington is just 3-3 this season and the All-Pro receiver has been injured for much of it.

McLaurin has missed the last three games with a quad injury, and Commanders coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Friday that he will miss a fourth.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17)Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Earlier in the day, Washington signed former first-round wideout Treylon Burks to the practice squad, a talented player who will now likely be elevated to the active roster soon.

We have made the following roster moves:
- Signed WR Treylon Burks to the practice squad
- Released WR Tay Martin from the practice squad
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 17, 2025

Burks was selected with the 18th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, the same pick that the team acquired by trading away wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Burks showed a few flashes of being a viable deep threat at the very least, but injuries ravaged his career and became the defining factor of his time in Tennessee.

It is foolish to think that his first-round status will guarantee him snaps and targets in Washington, but he could force the team’s hand with a solid performance against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Commanders’ other star receiver, Deebo Samuel, has also been ruled out, so there should be a great opportunity for Burks to shine.

People have already written him off as a bust, so he has the perfect opportunity to shed that label in Washington.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: