The Washington Commanders enter Week 4 in a precarious position. Jayden Daniels is banged up and out. Jacory Croskey-Merritt should feature, but is questionable. Despite being 2-1, the injury bug has become overwhelmingly apparent.
To make matters more complicated, wide receiver Terry McLaurin continues to battle a quad injury and won't feature, breaking his streak of 72 consecutive games. That means one player may hold the key to flipping the outcome entirely for the Commanders: Deebo Samuel Sr.
Samuel has built a career on being more than a traditional wideout. His hybrid ability to line up in multiple spots, handle carries like a running back, and even contribute on special teams makes him one of the NFL’s most unique offensive weapons.
With Daniels on the shelf and McLaurin unavailable, Samuel’s value skyrockets in a game that may require creativity and resilience for Washington to beat the Atlanta Falcons.
Commanders need Deebo Samuel Sr. more than ever in Week 4
Marcus Mariota isn’t the dynamic passer that Daniels is. Still, he can keep plays alive with his legs and thrives when his receivers create separation quickly. Samuel is tailor-made for that type of game plan.
His short-area burst and physicality after the catch allow Mariota to operate with simple, high-percentage throws that can still generate chunk gains. Screens, slants, and quick outs can all turn into explosive plays when the ball is in Samuel’s hands.
Without McLaurin to occupy coverage, Samuel will likely face more defensive attention. Yet, his versatility makes him hard to neutralize. Washington can motion him across formations, use him out of the slot, or line him up in the backfield to prevent the Falcons from locking him down with a single defender.
Expect Mariota to look his way early and often, both as a primary target and as a bailout option when plays break down.
Washington’s ground attack has leaned on a multitude of players to produce thus far, but Samuel could become a vital extension of it. His history in San Francisco proved he can handle designed carries, whether jet sweeps, end-arounds, or even direct handoffs between the tackles. For a Commanders team facing the possibility of a scaled-back passing game plan, the South Carolina product's ability to generate rushing production from unconventional looks will be vital.
The Falcons’ defense has been vulnerable to misdirection through the first three games, and Samuel’s presence adds another layer of unpredictability.
Even when he’s not touching the ball, his motion forces linebackers and safeties to hesitate, creating opportunities for others to exploit. If offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury leans into Samuel’s versatility, he could be the player who keeps Atlanta’s defense off balance all afternoon.
In a game where Washington may need to manufacture momentum, Samuel’s potential as a kick returner also looms large.
His blend of vision, balance, and acceleration makes him dangerous in the open field, with a few extended returns under his belt already. He almost took the opening kickoff back to the house against the Las Vegas Raiders. One explosive return could flip field position, set up Mariota with a short drive, or even provide points directly.
And with Washington possibly needing a spark outside the structure of its offense, Samuel’s contributions on special teams also cannot be overlooked.
Beyond his physical skill set, Samuel brings an edge and intensity that Washington will need in a tough road matchup. With their all-around quarterback sidelined and their leader at receiver out, in addition to the injuries to a long list of veterans already missing, the Commanders need to generate energy. For Samuel, he's never shied away from the spotlight or significant moments.
The Falcons enter Week 4 looking for a get-back game after an ugly shutout loss to the Carolina Panthers, but football rarely plays out that neatly. For Washington, Samuel represents the wild card — the one player capable of turning a conservative, undermanned offense into a unit that can attack from multiple angles.
Whether it’s on a jet sweep, a quick slant taken 40 yards, or a kickoff return that flips the field, Samuel has the skill set to redefine how the game unfolds, regardless of who straps up or not.