Surprise Deebo Samuel injury update leaves Commanders WR's Week 5 availability in doubt

Mike Moraitis

Surprise Deebo Samuel injury update leaves Commanders WR's Week 5 availability in doubt image

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

As if the Washington Commanders needed another injury concern at wide receiver.

The Commanders released their first injury report of the week on Wednesday and it revealed that wide receiver Deebo Samuel is dealing with a heel injury and was not able to practice.

This is the first time Samuel has been on the injury report this season and it comes amid the team dealing with injuries to wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown.

McLaurin missed the Week 4 game due to a quadriceps issue and Brown missed two straight games with groin and knee issues. Neither player practiced on Wednesday and are on track to sit out again.

Samuel was traded to the Commanders during the offseason and has been a reliable contributor for Washington over the first four games. Samuel has totaled 22 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns to go along with seven carries for 46 yards and another score. He is currently Washington's leading receiver.

With McLaurin seemingly unlikely to play, Samuel was once again set to serve as the Commanders' No. 1 wide receiver, and he was set to reunite with quarterback Jayden Daniels, who appears set to return following a two-game absence.

While Samuel's presence on the injury report is cause for concern for his Week 5 status, it's important to note it's still early in the week and Samuel doesn't need to practice to play given his experience.

Adding to that, Samuel is well-known for playing through injuries, so he has a better chance to suit up than most.

The Commanders will drop their next injury report on Thursday, so we'll have a better idea about where he stands then.

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.