Commanders feeling the strain as key injuries threaten to derail crucial stretch

The Washington Commanders dropped to 3-3 in an ugly Monday Night Football showing against the Chicago Bears, with three turnovers and a missed field goal dooming Dan Quinn's squad.

Washington was also playing with a depleted array of receiving weapons once again. Terry McLaurin missed his third consecutive contest and Noah Brown his fourth, after both were deemed hopeful earlier in the week.

Brown didn't get a chance to add to his legacy against the Bears, the team he caught the game-winning Hail Mary against as time expired last year. McLaurin's loss was much more significant, and it felt as if his availability could have made the difference.

Commanders missed their injured receivers more than ever, and they need them back

Credit to Chris Moore, who had by far his best game in Washington after a tumultuous preseason and first five weeks. But when he's your leading receiver with 46 yards, that's not a winning recipe.

Luke McCaffrey hauled in a 33-yard touchdown on a busted coverage, and Jaylin Lane snagged a 37-yard dime from Jayden Daniels in the third quarter. Beyond those two plays, the Commanders only consistently moved the ball through the air on checkdowns to Zach Ertz.

Deebo Samuel Sr. was held in check with four receptions for 15 yards. He was also dealing with a heel complication heading into the game, compounding Washington's already thin cast of weapons.

In the fourth quarter, Washington could have used a big play or two to put some distance on the Bears. The Commanders had the ball two separate times while holding a slender lead, and the drives resulted in a punt and a fumble.

It is worth noting that the weather likely also played a factor in the limited passing attack. There was a perpetual drizzle over Northwest Stadium, which intensified during the second half. The ball was slippery enough as it was, as proven by the crucial fumble caused by a botched handoff late in the fourth quarter.

Still, that's no excuse. The Bears played in the same conditions and didn't turn the ball over three times. They did, however, have their whole offense available, with D'Andre Swift, Luther Burden III, D.J. Moore, and Rome Odunze all contributing with key chunk plays in the receiving game.

The Commanders could've used some players like that.

Even though Lane, McCaffrey, and even Moore all chipped in at various moments, this was a game where Washington needed McLaurin and Brown to be on the field. They'll now have to hope to have McLaurin's services against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7, especially with his teammate in the wideout room going to injured reserve.