4 biggest remaining questions ahead of Commanders 2023 season opener

Who steps up in Terry McLaurin's absence?

Terry McLaurin is the Washington Commanders' best offensive player. He is their inspirational leader on offense. He is also one of the toughest guys on the squad.

The gifted wide receiver will do everything he can to heal up from his turf toe injury and be ready by the opener. But these injuries are tricky, and they can seriously hinder production. So the Commanders do not exactly know when they will have their captain back at full strength.

Fortunately, this is among the strongest parts of the roster. Jahan Dotson is projected to have a big season, and Curtis Samuel is always capable of producing game-changing plays.

Dyami Brown has shown flashes now that he is being reunited with his college quarterback Sam Howell. Antonio Gibson - who played wide receiver in college - can even move outside in a pinch.

I think the guy most likely to make up for McLaurin’s absence is Byron Pringle. I saw him do it a couple of years ago in a late-season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kansas City Chiefs stars Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce were in the COVID protocol - Hill would play but only tally two targets. The Steelers were in a late-season swoon but were still in the playoff hunt.

Pringle, quite simply, balled out. It was a windy day at Arrowhead Stadium and all the wide receivers had to make constant adjustments to the fluttering ball. Something the new Commanders' arrival accomplished emphatically.

Pringle caught six of his seven targets, resulting in three first downs and two touchdowns. Had Kansas City not blown the game open early, he probably would have piled up more numbers.

As it was, they relied on one of their reserve running backs to salt the game away. He totaled more than 100 total yards on 15 combined touches. His name was Derrick Gore - he currently resides on the Commanders' practice squad.

Pringle has stepped up in a big way when he has gotten the chance. In Kansas City, it was when he had to stand in for Hill. I expect he will open some eyes in Washington until McLaurin is healthy enough to return.