Terry McLaurin out for season after torn patellar tendon

McLaurin’s season ends with a torn patellar tendon

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin was carted off the field on Monday night with an air cast on his left knee. Coach Dan Quinn told reporters the team feared a “significant” injury, and tests the following day confirmed a torn patellar tendon that will keep McLaurin out for the remainder of the 2026 season.

How the injury happened

The incident occurred early in the first quarter of Washington’s 23‑17 loss to the previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers. McLaurin was running a route when he collided with 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and immediately clutched his left knee before collapsing. The medical staff applied an air cast and he was escorted off the field.

What the numbers say

Before the injury, the 31‑year‑old had recorded 15 receptions for 230 yards and one touchdown. That matches the season totals listed by the NFL and NBC Sports. He also missed Week 4 with a hamstring strain, so the season‑ending injury marks his second stint on the sidelines.

Contract implications

McLaurin has two years left on his deal, with a projected $34 million cap hit in 2027 but no guaranteed money remaining if Washington decides to move on. The contract details were noted by NBC Sports and remain unchanged after the injury.

Impact on the Commanders

Washington sits 1‑4‑1 after the defeat, trailing the NFC East. With McLaurin out, the team will rely more heavily on Stefon Diggs, who was signed late in the offseason, and on younger targets Dyami Brown, rookie Antonio Williams and Treylon Burks. The loss also comes on the heels of running back Jacory Croskey‑Merritt being placed on injured reserve.

What’s next?

McLaurin will undergo surgery in the coming days and begin a long rehabilitation process. Coach Quinn said the staff will “do everything we can to get him back healthy,” but realistically he will miss the rest of his eighth NFL year. The Commanders now face a critical stretch of games to stay in the NFC East race.

The injury underscores the physical toll of the NFL and leaves Washington scrambling for offensive production as the season heads into its crucial middle phase.