There will be a familiar face on the Washington Commanders' roster not suited up for Thursday night's important NFC East divisional game with the New York Giants.

Long-time franchise cornerstone Terry McLaurin, a two-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro, isn't playing in one of the Commanders' biggest games. Why? Because the veteran playmaker tore a patellar tendon in his knee earlier this year during a Monday night road game against the San Francisco 49ers. Not only is McLaurin not playing on Thursday night, but he is also out for the rest of the season.

It's a brutal blow to the Commanders' offense and the organization as a whole, to be sure.

In eight incomplete seasons with the Commanders, McLaurin has reached at least 1,000 receiving yards on six occasions. His best individual season came in 2024, when he also finished second in the NFL in touchdown catches with 13. Those Commanders, perhaps not by coincidence, made it all the way to the NFC title game.

The modern Commanders as we know them aren't the same without McLaurin. Here's hoping for a swift recovery for the veteran receiver.