Commanders Elevate Treylon Burks as Terry McLaurin Sits Out vs. Seahawks

The Washington Commanders are entering Week 9 with another reshuffled receiving corps as they prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. The team officially ruled out top wide receiver Terry McLaurin due to injury, prompting a call-up from the practice squad to fill the void.

Former Tennessee Titans receiver Treylon Burks will make his debut for Washington after being elevated to the active roster, according to multiple reports. Burks, a 2022 first-round pick, signed with the Commanders’ practice squad on October 16 following his release from Tennessee earlier this season.

The move gives Washington a much-needed reinforcement as it navigates another week without key offensive contributors. Burks joins a unit led by veteran receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end Zach Ertz, with young players Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and Chris Moore expected to share targets. Starting receiver Noah Brown remains on injured reserve, further limiting the team’s depth.

Washington’s offense, already struggling to find consistency, faces another test of adaptation. The timing of Burks’ activation — coinciding with McLaurin’s absence — underscores the uncertainty surrounding the Commanders’ passing attack as the team tries to regain momentum in a tightly contested NFC race.

1. Burks’ Fresh Start After Rocky Tennessee Tenure

For Treylon Burks, Sunday night represents both a return to the field and a chance at redemption. The former Arkansas standout, once viewed as the successor to A.J. Brown in Tennessee, never fully found his footing with the Titans. Over three seasons, Burks totaled just 699 receiving yards while battling injuries and inconsistency. His 2025 campaign began with more adversity. Burks fractured his collarbone during training camp and spent the early portion of the season on injured reserve. Before he could return, the Titans opted to release him, paving the way for Washington to take a chance on the 24-year-old receiver. While his career has yet to meet the expectations of a first-round pick, Burks offers Washington size, athleticism, and downfield potential. His 6-foot-2 frame and physical playing style could provide quarterback Jayden Daniels with a valuable red-zone target — something the Commanders have lacked in recent weeks. Head coach Dan Quinn emphasized the importance of giving Burks a clean slate. “He’s worked hard since arriving here,” Quinn said earlier this week. “We know what he can do when he’s healthy, and this is an opportunity for him to show that.”

2. Washington Faces Opportunity Against Weak Seattle Secondary

The Commanders enter Sunday’s contest with an intriguing offensive opportunity. While the Seahawks have remained solid against the run, their pass defense has been porous, ranking among the bottom 10 in passing yards allowed per game. For a Washington team struggling to find rhythm through the air, this matchup could serve as a reset. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels returns to the starting lineup after missing time with a minor injury, giving the offense a spark. His mobility and arm strength could help open up play-action opportunities against a defense susceptible to big plays downfield. However, the absence of McLaurin — the team’s leading receiver and primary deep threat — will make execution critical. Deebo Samuel, who has just 26 receiving yards combined over the past two games, will need to deliver a bounce-back performance. Washington’s supporting cast, including Ertz and the newly activated Burks, must help shoulder the load. The Commanders’ offensive line will also play a key role, as Seattle’s front seven remains one of the league’s most disruptive units. If Daniels can stay upright and distribute efficiently, Washington could exploit mismatches in Seattle’s secondary despite missing two key playmakers.

3. Commanders Searching for Rhythm Amid Adversity

For Washington, Week 9 is about more than survival — it’s about reestablishing offensive identity. The Commanders have struggled with consistency all season, alternating between promising drives and prolonged scoring droughts. Injuries to key players have only deepened the challenge. Still, the addition of Burks offers a glimmer of potential. His skill set complements Samuel’s versatility and could give Daniels another outlet in the passing game. The Commanders’ coaching staff hopes that integrating Burks quickly can provide both immediate production and long-term depth. Defensively, Washington will need to contain Seattle’s balanced offense to stay competitive. But if the Commanders can finally find rhythm on offense — even without McLaurin — they could surprise a Seahawks team that has struggled to defend the deep ball. As the Commanders look to climb back into playoff contention, the spotlight now falls on a once-promising receiver seeking redemption and an offense desperate for cohesion.