The Washington Commanders were thin at wide receiver in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams. And yet, four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs was reduced to an afterthought before it was almost too late.
For the first time, apparent friction justified a response from head coach Dan Quinn during his post-game media availability.
Diggs got a couple of targets in the first quarter. He brought one in and dropped another. After that, the Maryland product wasn't targeted again until late in the fourth quarter.
Stefon Diggs' usage was frustrating in Commanders' Week 9 loss
He made a big sideline catch that put the Commanders in a more respectable position, but they couldn't get over the line. Fans on social media also noted how Diggs was extremely vocal with offensive coordinator David Blough on the sidelines, which is no coincidence with targets at a premium.
The Commanders didn't have second-team All-Pro wideout Terry McLaurin, who is done for the season. Treylon Burks missed the contest with a foot injury, and Dyami Brown is also on injured reserve and may not be back in 2026.
This threadbare group was stretched to its limit, so to completely ignore Diggs for what amounted to three full quarters of football was nothing short of bizarre.
And if the fans' observations from the stands are accurate, Diggs wasn't too thrilled.
The situation was obvious enough to warrant a question in the media. Quinn brushed it off, claiming there was no direct desire to reduce Diggs' workload or his targets, especially given the Commanders were so short-staffed at receiver.
"Nope. It wasn't any further design than another. We've actually done less multiples of who and what, especially when we're lighter than we have been. So no, there was no design of having less, just how we're going to feature a certain play."
Commanders need to raise Stefon Diggs' influence with their fortunes spiraling
Make of that what you will.
But two targets very early and three targets very late does seem off for a player of Diggs' caliber and how depleted the Commanders' receiving corps was against the Rams.
Diggs is a winner. He came to Washington not only because he wanted to play closer to home, but also because he believed this team could compete. That hasn't happened yet, and when the targets aren't there for him to swing the pendulum, that's when his frustrations have boiled over in the past.
There doesn't seem to be much chance of the Commanders trading Diggs before the deadline. He fought hard for this opportunity, and there may not be interest in a short-term rental playing around 60 percent of snaps.
But with McLaurin on the shelf, the Commanders have to maximize Diggs while they can.
Van Jefferson Jr., third-round rookie Antonio Williams, and tight end Chig Okonkwo were all targeted more than Diggs. Five targets, and especially given they were so far apart, just wasn't the correct strategy. Nobody is asking him to get 10-15 targets a game, but the volume needs to increase here.
And if it doesn't increase against the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football with Washington's season firmly on the line, serious questions must be asked.
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