Commanders' star Terry McLaurin could be next victim of WR holdout curse

Injuries happen. It's part of the NFL's brutal nature. And the Washington Commanders are dealing with more health issues than most just three games into the 2025 campaign.

Several key figures are either on injured reserve or out for the season. Several more are dealing with nagging problems that require considerable attention to prevent them from escalating. Superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels missed Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, and he's not guaranteed to feature this weekend versus the Atlanta Falcons, either.

There's also a new concern. And it could add Terry McLaurin's name to a long list of wide receivers who got injured after holding out over the summer.

Commanders face anxious wait as Terry McLaurin looks to avoid going onto infamous list

McLaurin suffered a quad complication in the third quarter. He didn't return, but the Commanders had the luxury of being cautious with the game out of sight. According to Adam Schefter from ESPN, the wideout's participation in Week 4 is in doubt as he gathers information.

If McLaurin cannot go or is forced to miss an extended period, it'll be the first time he has been absent from a regular-season game since 2020, having put together 72 consecutive games. This also comes after his contract standoff with the Commanders caused him to miss months of preparations.

The list of wide receivers who get hurt after holding out is lengthy, and it dates back decades. Perhaps it's a coincidence, but the evidence suggests otherwise.

After a lengthy holdout before being traded, Joey Galloway tore his ACL in his first game for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. Brandon Aiyuk lasted seven games last season before suffering the same injury. Vincent Jackson, whose absence lasted all the way into Week 12 of the 2010 season, injured his calf upon his return and missed time after.

Dez Bryant's standoff with the Dallas Cowboys resulted in a fractured foot in Week 1 of the 2015 campaign. Mike Wallace and the Commanders' own Deebo Samuel Sr. are other examples, and there are many more.

It's a worrying trend. It's also why players want their money while the going is good.

This is a violent game where careers can end in an instant. McLaurin knew his worth, but the Commanders wanted a deal that benefited the team as well. Everything worked out well in the end, but it resulted in a sluggish start due to timing issues, and now he's facing an unusual injury issue.

Hopefully, it'll be nothing major to worry about. We'll find out more in the coming days, but the Commanders can ill afford to have their primary pass-catcher out of action with so many other problems to deal with.

Because if this summer taught us anything, the Commanders won't get very far without McLaurin firing on all cylinders.