Deebo Samuel injury update sends Commanders into possible chaos mode

The Washington Commanders are dealing with lingering injury complications heading into their Week 7 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Nothing new for head coach Dan Quinn this season, but it's an ongoing frustration that threatens to hold them back.

Terry McLaurin will be missing his fourth-straight game with a quad/hip injury. Quinn was optimistic about his chances of getting back into the fold to start the week, but that hope quickly diminished. This is becoming a significant problem, raising the question of why the former Ohio State standout wasn't placed on injured reserve.

That was also the case with Noah Brown, who hasn't been seen since Week 2's loss to the Green Bay Packers. The Commanders gave him every chance to make a quick recovery, but it didn't pay off. He's now gone to injured reserve, and there is a good chance he might not be able to make much of a contribution even if he does get healthy.

Deebo Samuel is not guaranteed to feature for the Commanders in Week 7

Concerns are also growing around Deebo Samuel Sr. The offseason trade acquisition from the San Francisco 49ers is currently dealing with a heel problem. He toughed it out last time out against the Chicago Bears, but he was not as impactful. The Commanders have erred on the side of caution with the wideout's practice participation this week, and he was officially listed as questionable before Washington's annual trip to Dallas.

Samuel didn't give much away to the media after Friday's practice, aside from acknowledging that the heel complication is causing discomfort. But Tom Pelissero from the NFL Network revealed that the former South Carolina's status at AT&T Stadium is a legitimate touch-and-go situation.

If Samuel cannot go, that would leave the Commanders with three healthy wideouts on their active roster — Luke McCaffrey, Chris Moore, and rookie fourth-rounder Jaylin Lane. This could be the week Robbie Chosen gets called up from the practice squad. Washington could also elevate Ja'Corey Brooks or Jacoby Jones, but this bitter divisional contest has come too soon for the team's newest addition, Treylon Burks.

Dallas' defense is terrible, which provides some solace. They are also missing cornerback Trevon Diggs after he suffered an unfortunate accident at his home. But if this game turns into a shootout as expected, the Commanders need a dynamic difference-maker like Samuel leading the charge.

Time will tell, and the Commanders will likely consider this until the inactive players are due before making a decision. However, Samuel will be nowhere near 100 percent even if he does feature.