Deebo Samuel’s absence ensures Washington will face its divisional rival without any of its top three receivers. Brett Davis / Imagn Images
DALLAS — The Washington Commanders downgraded veteran receiver Deebo Samuel to out for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys because of a lingering heel injury.
Samuel’s absence ensures Washington will face its divisional rival without any of its top three receivers. The Commanders ruled out Terry McLaurin, who has missed three games because of a quad injury, Friday with a quad injury, and they placed Noah Brown on injured reserve because of a groin injury he suffered in Week 2.
Samuel played through his heel injury the last two weeks, but has practiced sparingly. It was evident throughout the Commanders’ Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears that the injury was increasingly becoming an issue.
The Commanders initially listed Samuel as questionable to play after taking some reps in Friday’s workout. When asked afterward if he expected to play, Samuel said, “We’ll just have to see,” while noting the injury has been “aggravating.”
Through six games (two starts) this season, Samuel has 34 receptions with 315 yards and three touchdowns. He’s added 45 rushing yards and a score.
Neither Samuel nor McLaurin will travel with the team to Dallas. Washington will face the Cowboys with three wideouts on the active roster — Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane and Chris Moore — and four on the practice squad: Robbie Chosen, Ja’Corey Brooks, Treylon Burks and Jacoby Jones. At least one figures to be elevated for Sunday’s game.
Oct 18, 2025
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