Commanders Injury Updates: Key Players Questionable Ahead of Must-Win Seahawks Matchup

The Washington Commanders are trying to get to full health before they host the Seattle Seahawks for a must-win game on Sunday night.

Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin was ruled out for Week 9 earlier in the week, but he wasn't the only injury to watch. Quarterback Jayden Daniels was an unknown status heading into the week, and ended up practicing all week, and is officially starting on Sunday. Daniels will be without his top weapon, and possibly his blindside protector, after Laremy Tunsil left the game last week with a hamstring injury.

Tight end John Bates and Johnny Newton are also questionable, along with Tunsil, and are likely game-time decisions.

Commanders' Friday injury report


Player	Injury	W/T/F	Designation
WR-Terry McLaurin	Quad	DNP/DNP/DNP	Out
DT-Johnny Newton	Ankle	DNP/DNP/Limited	Questionable
TE-Colson Yankoff	Hamstring	Limited/DNP/DNP	Out
K-Matt Gay	Back	DNP/Limited/Full
DT-Javon Kinlaw	Shoulder	Full/LimitedFull
OT-Laremy Tunsil	Hamstring	DNP/Limited/Limited	Questionable
TE-John Bates	Ankle	--/Full/Limited	Questionable
QB-Jayden Daniels	Hamstring	Full/Full/Full
LB-Bobby Wagner	Thumb	Full/Full/Full

Injury Observations

If Tunsil can't go by Sunday night, expect Brandon Coleman to be active again to start at left tackle. Coleman came in without notice when Tunsil went down early in the game, and he had a near-flawless performance in his first game back at left tackle since last season. Bates would be a big loss in the run game, which has struggled a lot recently, and is facing a tough test this weekend. Colson Yankoff is already ruled out, so they don't have depth at tight end either.

Newton would be a big loss as well, and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has been really impressed with him after the last few weeks. The defense has already had to make changes due to injuries over the last few weeks, and they would have to adjust again.

I think the last couple of games he's played really well," Whitt Jr. said. "Last game he got hurt, alright, and so he was in and out because he was hurt, but he was playing fast and explosive and throwing hands, and I'm hoping that he's available this week, because he's been trending in the right direction. So, the numbers, sometimes it's because of personnel group or packaging, but he's been playing well.”

We will have to see a few hours before the game if Tunsil, Bates, and Newton go or not, and which practice squad elevations the team decides to make this week.

The Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster

The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-4-2) are getting back in their groove, winning four straight games after their 2-1 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. While the Lightning look to rise to the top of the Atlantic Division their American Hockey League (AHL, Syracuse Crunch) and ECHL teams (Orlando Solar Bears) are heading in opposite directions. The Crunch are cruising, with a 6-1-0-0 record, which leads the North Division, while the Solar Bears own a dreadful 1-4-0-0 record, allowing twice as many goals (20) as they’ve scored.

Even still, there are standouts littered in the minors for Tampa Bay, and in some instances, the Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster.

AHL: Jakob Pelletier, F

The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year contract last offseason in the hopes he’d reach his massive upside. At 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick scored four goals and seven assists with a plus-10 rating in 24 games for the Calgary Flames last season. That’s an average of about 14-24-38 over a full season, and he was usually playing bottom-six minutes.

Unfortunately, the Flames traded the winger to Philadelphia for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost in late January. Pelletier couldn’t get back his offensive spark in Philadelphia. With the Flyers, he scored just three goals, five assists, and eight points in 25 games, sometimes being healthy scratched. When he was due $840,000 on a qualifying offer on a two-way deal, the Flyers non-tendered him, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Pelletier hasn’t made his debut with the Lightning, but with the Crunch, he’s thriving. Through seven games, Pelletier has notched four goals and five assists, with a plus-1 rating. He currently leads the Crunch in points and goals. In a 5-2 win against the Hershey Bears, Pelletier had two goals and an assist.

If Pelletier keeps this pace up, the Lightning could recall him, and he could be an injection of youth Tampa Bay desperately needs right now.

AHL: Dylan Duke, F

Dylan Duke is another young talent the Lightning hope can evolve into an NHL-caliber forward. He was drafted 121st overall by Tampa Bay after a stellar career with the Michigan Wolverines. In 2023-24, Duke was on a team with NHL draftees Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey. However, Duke led the team in goals (26) and finished third in points (49). Overall, he finished with 54 goals and 46 assists in 123 games.

Duke has just one goal in the NHL level so far, but he is turning a new leaf with the Crunch this season. He’s scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through seven games. He is currently in the top 20 in assists in the AHL level.

It appears Duke could be taking a big jump from his rookie season, when he scored 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points through 62 games. Like Pelletier, Duke is another young forward the Lightning are looking to develop into an NHL-caliber player. Unlike Pelletier, Duke is just 22, and he has time to grow and become another late-round NHL contributor for the Lightning.

ECHL: Spencer Kersten, F

It’s hard to find a standout for the Solar Bears this season, but there’s one player who’s been tried and true for them. Spencer Kersten continues to shine for Orlando.

Kersten spent four years with Princeton University and one year at Bowling-Green University before signing with the Solar Bears in 2024. In his rookie season, Kersten shined, recording 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points through 60 games. That earned him a spot on the 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie team.

This year, Kersten has increased his scoring output, with three goals and three assists for six points through five games. He is on pace to record 86 points this season.

That could earn Kersten a recall to the AHL. His strong play with Orlando earned him brief stints with the Crunch and the Belleville Senators on loan. He scored one goal in nine games with the Crunch, but he could be in line for more opportunities in the AHL if he keeps up this pace.

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