Terry McLaurin's absence will last at least one more week.
The Commanders' star receiver will not play in Washington's Week 7 game against the Dallas Cowboys, coach Dan Quinn told reporters Friday. McLaurin has been sidelined by a quadriceps injury since Week 4.
"It's frustrating for him because he's working at it hard," Quinn said. "With an injury like this, this is a speed player, so on movements where you're jogging or not fully there, it's just not ready yet. … He's working at it hard. He's frustrated. But we're closer.
"As we've been going week to week, it can be difficult on an injury that you have to test and push at high speed, and you need volume at it, you need reps at it. It's good to see him running routes and doing that but once we kinda got to that space, we're just not all the way there yet."
Washington has managed to stay afloat offensively without McLaurin, scoring 24 or more points in each of the Commanders' last three games while averaging 192.6 passing yards per contest. McLaurin's injury has also coincided with a two-week absence for quarterback Jayden Daniels, forcing Washington to proceed with veteran backup Marcus Mariota and a reduced receiving corps headlined by offseason addition Deebo Samuel.
Washington went 1-1 without Daniels and has won one of three games without McLaurin.
Samuel's status for Sunday isn't certain, either, due to a bruised heel. Quinn sounded more optimistic the 29-year-old might play Sunday, while Samuel told reporters "we'll just have to see" how he feels with the admittedly "aggravating" heel ailment.
"He was able to get reps today," the coach said. "That was the plan to see where he'd ramp up. So it was nice to see him get the full complement of stuff today."
Samuel is officially listed as questionable after limited participation in practice, as is tight end Zach Ertz (shoulder/calf).
Fortunately, Daniels looked much more like himself in a last-second loss to Chicago on Monday night, accounting for 263 scrimmage yards (211 passing, 52 rushing). Against Dallas' embattled defense, the Commanders should find the going easier even without McLaurin involved, helping explain why Washington remains cautious with McLaurin's return.
