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The Washington Football Team could again be without top wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a crucial Week 17 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Head coach Ron Rivera said Monday that McLaurin has an ankle sprain and is in a walking boot, rendering his status somewhat uncertain after the 25-year-old missed Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Rivera said Terry McLaurin has a high ankle sprain; in a walking boot. Obviously getting treatments. Usually those kind of sprains can last a while. Haven't been told the severity of the sprain… McLaurin has had an ankle issue, but Rivera said it stemmed from catch vs. Seattle
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 28, 2020
It would be a massive blow for Washington to be without McLaurin with the season hanging in the balance.
Washington can win the NFC East with a victory over the Eagles, given the Football Team has a tiebreaker advantage over the Dallas Cowboys. But a loss would sink the team's playoff hopes.
The Cowboys currently hold a 6-9 record, same as Washington. A Cowboys win over the New York Giants paired with a Washington loss would give Dallas the division title. Alternatively, a Giants win and Washington loss would give New York the division, considering the Giants swept Washington during the regular season.
Needless to say, it's a must-win for Washington, which is why the uncertainty surrounding McLaurin and the passing game is a negative.
McLaurin has been the team's best downfield threat this year, notching 80 receptions for 1,078 yards and three scores. He is the steadiest option in the passing game, which otherwise would prove to be of vital importance against a struggling Eagles secondary that just gave up close to 400 yards passing to Andy Dalton.
With Alex Smith still ailing and McLaurin fighting a sore ankle, the WFT is up against it heading into the regular season finale. The Eagles have their own problems, such as the injury to Fletcher Cox, who is arguably their most important defensive player, but after seeing how listless its offense was in a loss to the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday, Washington coaches and players know that they need all hands on deck… and McLaurin's hands are the most reliable ones they have in the wide receiver room.
