Terry McLaurin considered day-to-day after MRI on toe injury

The Washington Commanders got some good news regarding the toe injury to star receiver Terry McLaurin. Per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the veteran receiver is not suffering from any major injuries following an MRI.

“Good news out of the MRI: Sources say there is optimism for Week 1 for Terry McLaurin,” Rapoport reported Tuesday. “More day-to-day than anything, with the scans showing no major injury.”

It was believed that McLaurin was battling a toe sprain. He suffered the injury in Monday’s preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Good news out of the MRI: Sources say there is optimism for Week 1 for Terry McLaurin. More day-to-day than anything, with the scans showing no major injury. https://t.co/kvDlGf3x16

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 22, 2023

McLaurin caught three passes for the Commanders in Monday’s 29-28 victory over the Ravens. He totaled 39 yards for the night. The receiver caught one pass for seven yards in the team’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.

In Monday night’s game, McLaurin exited the contest in the first half with the injury. The team was quick to announce that the receiver would not return to the game.

McLaurin enters his fifth season in the NFL in 2023. He was a third-round pick out of Ohio State in 2019 and has spent his entire career to this point with Washington.

Last season, McLaurin earned his first Pro Bowl selection after hauling in 77 receptions for 1,191 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch.

In four seasons, McLaurin has racked up 4,281 yards and 21 touchdowns on 299 catches.

McLaurin impressed by Commanders QB Sam Howell

One of the keys to success in the NFL is having a quarterback the receivers trust. That doesn’t appear to be the issue in Washington, even as the team ushers in a new gunslinger in Sam Howell.

Earlier in training camp, McLaurin had a glowing review of Howell in practice.

“Yeah, to be honest, you really don’t even see him get flustered,” McLaurin said. “Even when he’s had a few rough patches during practice, he doesn’t hang his head. He’s not yelling, cussing, things like that. He stays pretty even-keeled, which is really unique for a young guy like that.

“Not only that, I think that struck me in the Dallas game because we had a turnover. But he still wasn’t afraid to push the ball down the field… I think with this being a passing league, you still gotta stay aggressive. It’s really cool to see a young guy who’s not afraid to continue to get his guys catches.”

Howell stood out in one half of action against Baltimore, completing 19-of-25 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns.