Deebo Samuel injury update: Commanders ruled WR out for Week 7 heel injury

The Washington Commanders will be without one of their top offensive weapons in Week 7, as wide receiver Deebo Samuel has officially been ruled out due to a heel injury. The team confirmed the news ahead of Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, leaving their receiving corps significantly weakened heading into a key NFC East matchup.

Samuel’s absence compounds Washington’s offensive concerns, with fellow star receiver Terry McLaurin also sidelined. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels now faces one of the most challenging games of his young career without his two most explosive targets on the field.

Deebo Samuel Injury Details and Official Update

According to team officials, Samuel has been battling a heel injury throughout the week. He was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday and was downgraded from “questionable” to “out” on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The Commanders made the decision to hold him out as a precautionary measure, prioritizing his long-term health over short-term availability.

Through the first six weeks of the season, Samuel had been Washington’s most productive wide receiver, leading the team with 34 receptions for 315 yards and tying for the most receiving touchdowns with three. His chemistry with Jayden Daniels had been one of the bright spots in the Commanders’ offense, but the injury appeared to affect his performance in Week 6, where he recorded just four catches for 15 yards in a loss to Chicago.

With Samuel sidelined, Washington will look to second-year receiver Luke McCaffrey to shoulder a larger role. Rookie Jaylin Lane and veteran Chris Moore are also expected to see increased snaps, while the team may rely more heavily on tight ends and its running game to compensate for the missing production. The Commanders recently signed former first-round pick Treylon Burks to the practice squad, a move that could help bolster depth if the receiving unit remains thin.

Impact on Commanders’ Offense vs. Cowboys

Samuel’s absence comes at a difficult time for Washington. Facing a divisional rival on the road is never easy, and the Commanders will now have to do so without their top two wideouts. Terry McLaurin remains out with a quadriceps injury, leaving Daniels to work with a significantly less experienced receiving group.

Dallas has struggled defensively this season, but Washington’s offensive limitations could still make it difficult to exploit those weaknesses. Expect offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to adjust the game plan with more short passes, screens, and running plays to ease pressure on the passing attack. Tight ends may become a focal point of the offense, and the run game could take on a heavier workload as Washington tries to control time of possession and limit Dallas’s offensive opportunities.

From a broader perspective, Samuel’s heel injury will be closely monitored over the coming weeks. The Commanders have not provided a specific return timeline, but the hope is that rest and treatment will allow the veteran receiver to return before the second half of the season. His availability will be crucial for Washington’s playoff hopes and for Jayden Daniels’ continued development as the team’s franchise quarterback.

In summary, the Deebo Samuel injury update confirms that the Commanders’ star receiver is out for Week 7 due to a heel injury. His absence, combined with Terry McLaurin’s, leaves Washington’s offense shorthanded as they prepare to face the Cowboys in a pivotal divisional showdown.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What injury is keeping Deebo Samuel out in Week 7?

Samuel is dealing with a heel injury that kept him out of practice and ultimately ruled him out of Sunday’s game.

Q2: When was Deebo Samuel ruled out?

The Commanders downgraded Samuel from “questionable” to “out” on October 18, 2025, ahead of their Week 7 matchup with the Cowboys.

Q3: How has Samuel performed this season?

Through six games, Samuel led the Commanders in receptions (34), receiving yards (315), and receiving touchdowns (3).

Q4: Who will replace Samuel in Week 7?

Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and Chris Moore will see expanded roles, and the team may increase its use of tight ends and the running game.

Q5: When will Samuel return?

The Commanders have not announced a return date. The decision to rest him in Week 7 is seen as precautionary to help his recovery.