VanJefferson

Oct 12

Stefon Diggs was ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Terry McLaurin didn’t practice for most of the week with a hamstring.

The Commanders have used a ridiculous five-man rotation at wide receiver this season, with McLaurin, Diggs, Antonio Williams, Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks all playing between 38-60% of snaps this year. All of them have played between 43-67% of 11 personnel snaps, while the outside receivers, McLaurin, Brown and Burks, have been the primary receivers in 12 personnel. McLaurin played 77. 6% of snaps over the first three weeks, but he missed last week and could only play in a limited role this week. In terms of playing time, Burks and Williams were the central receivers. While Van Jefferson was a practice squad call-up, Washington largely stuck with a four-man rotation rather than the usual five. Despite McLaurin’s injury, he still led the Commanders in receiving with four receptions for 62 yards. Williams and Burks combined for five receptions for 57 yards. Williams remains a potential waiver-wire target, but only for someone looking for a breakout in the second half of the season. In this rotation, it doesn’t appear Williams will have much fantasy value in the near-term.

Ben Standig·Oct 11

Jaylin Lane’s injury reduces Washington’s healthy receiving options to six. Take Diggs out of the equation, and that leaves five. Other than McLaurin and, to a degree, rookie Antonio Williams, the remaining options aren’t necessarily refined receivers. Treylon Burks is more of a big-play threat, as we’ve seen. Same with Dyami Brown. Luke McCaffrey appears headed for a role primarily as a returner. Jefferson, meanwhile, looked sharp throughout the summer and has returned to the organization. I think he has a legitimate chance to emerge as an offensive threat in this game, not merely provide depth.