The Washington Commanders have succumbed to more injury woes than most this season. And it took just one play of their prime-time showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football for head coach Dan Quinn's problems to worsen.
And, perhaps inevitably, it came at a position group already thin, further compounding Washington's misery.
It's been one significant complication after another. The Commanders were already missing Terry McLaurin for the game after he reinjured his quad/hip flexor concern in his first game back versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Noah Brown is on injured reserve, and Deebo Samuel Sr. has also been playing hurt. It's far from ideal, although Quinn isn't looking for excuses.
Commanders lost Luke McCaffrey after the opening kickoff in Week 9
The latest worry for Washington came on the opening kickoff. Luke McCaffrey, the 2024 third-round pick who's emerged as one of the league's most prolific returners this season, took a heavy hit right out of the gate and landed awkwardly. After the wideout was taken for additional tests, the Commanders quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the contest.
How much bad luck can one team have?
This left the Commanders with just four active wide receivers. Samuel is easily the most prolific. After that, it's veteran Chris Moore, fourth-round rookie Jaylin Lane, and Treylon Burks, who was called up from the practice squad to offset some demoralizing losses. And it should come as no surprise that the offense fails to generate any sustained momentum over the opening exchanges.
It's the last thing McCaffrey needed. He was finally starting to generate some positivity, both as a dependable pass-catcher and kick returner. Now, his status moving forward is in doubt, and the Commanders will be left searching for more answers with another ascending playmaker potentially on the shelf.
Quinn is trying valiantly to play the hand he's been dealt. McCaffrey wouldn't be classed as a focal point by any stretch, but it's another reliable body absent from the equation until further notice.
Hopefully, it'll be good news for McCaffrey in the coming days. Otherwise, the Commanders have another legitimate problem on their hands.