Terry McLaurin is getting most of the attention heading into Week 4, and for good reason. His matchup with Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner is the kind of one-on-one fight that can shape a game. But that spotlight could end up creating room for another Washington Commanders weapon to do damage: Stefon Diggs.
Through three games, Diggs has already given Washington exactly what it needed. He has not looked like the All-Pro force he once was, but that was never the expectation.
The Commanders wanted a reliable target, a calming presence, and someone who could be trusted in key moments. So far, that’s what they’ve gotten.
McLaurin and Gardner should be the marquee battle, and Gardner’s habit of shadowing the opponent’s top receiver points straight at the Ohio State product. If that pulls Gardner’s focus away from Diggs, Washington may have a chance to attack a Colts defense that has been vulnerable through the air. Indianapolis is allowing 276 passing yards per game, which ranks 30th in the league.
That kind of matchup matters no matter who is at quarterback. Whether it’s Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota, Diggs’ role stays the same.
He works the short and intermediate areas, wins with precision, and creates after the catch. He also has a knack for finding space in coverage, which becomes even more valuable if McLaurin is occupied snap after snap by Gardner.
Diggs has been on the field for less than 60 percent of Washington’s snaps over the first three weeks, and that fits the plan. He arrived late, and the Commanders have been careful with his workload. Still, this trip to London could be the moment to open things up.
The Colts know exactly what Diggs can bring. He has been doing this long enough to command respect, and if he can grab a few early catches and force the defense to tighten up, that could create opportunities downfield. Even if Indianapolis tries to keep things crowded underneath, Diggs has shown he can make plays in tight windows.
There is also some optimism around the rest of the offense. Chig Okonkwo could return in some capacity, and Daniels is pushing hard to play under center. The Commanders will still need more from the run game and better work from the offensive line, but if the quarterback has time to work through his reads, Diggs should find openings.
Since joining Washington, Diggs has been exactly the sort of presence the team hoped for. Any worries about a diva reputation disappeared quickly. He has settled into the locker room, carried himself like a pro, and earned notice from Dan Quinn.
And with the Commanders taking center stage for an early kickoff in London, Diggs looks like a player ready for the moment.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Marvin Harrison Jr. Decision To Make
Marvin Harrison Jr.s first stretch with the Cardinals has been quieter than many expected, and that has already started to stir the kind of trade talk that follows any highly touted young receiver who is not getting much run. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Washington is among the teams keeping an eye on the situation, which makes sense for a Commanders club always thinking about how to keep its passing game stocked for the future.
From Washingtons perspective, Harrison is the sort of name that naturally invites interest: a big talent, a premium pedigree, and a player whose availability would change the conversation in a hurry. But any possible move would come with real questions about cost, fit and timing, and for now the Commanders are still in the monitoring stage rather than any confirmed pursuit. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Have A Different Plan For Joshua Josephs
Joshua Josephs has already given the Commanders something to think about as they sort through the next layer of their defense. The idea being floated is a position change, with Josephs potentially moving from edge rusher to inside linebacker, a switch that would ask for a different kind of responsibility but could also open a clearer path to playing time. His physical traits and skill set are part of why the conversation is even on the table.
Washingtons roster situation adds to the intrigue, since the team is still weighing how best to cover future needs in the middle of the defense. If the Commanders decide Josephs is better suited to that role, it could help both sides by putting him in a spot where his strengths are easier to maximize. For now, it remains more of a possibility than a decision, but it is the sort of roster wrinkle worth watching as the team keeps shaping its defense. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Could Catch Washington Without Its Biggest Receiving Threat
Terry McLaurins availability has become one of the biggest questions hanging over Washington heading into Week 4, after the veteran receiver picked up a hamstring injury in practice and was listed as questionable for Sundays game against the Colts. McLaurin was limited in practice, and the issue is a new concern for him at a time when the Commanders are already managing significant changes on offense.
The timing is less than ideal for Washington, which is set to face Indianapolis without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels. If McLaurin cannot go, the Commanders would be trying to piece together their passing game without one of their most important targets, a development that would leave even more onus on a unit already under pressure to adjust. [Read more 🡒]