Terry McLaurin Returns With Massive Target Share

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

McLaurin has missed most of the season with a quad injury, but returned to practice after the bye. 

McLaurin did not play his full allotment of snaps, but it didn't matter. He was targeted on 43.8% of his 32 routes, catching 7-of-14 targets for 96 yards and a TD.

The TD was a 3-yard score in overtime. McLaurin was blanketed by Denver's shutdown CB Pat Surtain. That was the first TD that Surtian had allowed since Week 14 of the 2024 season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. 

We can't expect McLaurin to be targeted on 30% of his snaps again, but his reemergence as a legitimate threat comes right before the fantasy playoffs.

Deebo Samuel led the Commanders' pass-catchers in snaps (63) and routes (42) while catching 5 balls for 64 yards. 

TE Zach Ertz nearly matched Samuel, drawing 13 targets and leading the team with 10 grabs and 106 yards. This was, by far, Ertz's best game with Marcus Mariota starting. However, Jayden Daniels is trending toward a return, which should help Ertz be more consistent during the fantasy postseason.

Treylon Burks appears to have asserted himself as the Commanders' No. 3 WR. Burks played 59 snaps but only drew 4 targets. He made his 1 catch count, a 5-yard TD in the third quarter to give Washington a 14-13 lead.

McLaurin was likely rotated more than usual because it was his first game back from a lengthy layoff. He should start to see more snaps beginning next week, which sets him up to be a strong WR2/3 in the playoffs. 

Washington has the fifth-easiest remaining schedule for WRs.

• Week 14 at Minnesota

• Week 15 at New York Giants

• Week 16 vs. Philadelphia

• Week 17 vs. Dallas