Former Ohio State Star WR Out with Season-Ending Injury

The Ohio State Buckeyes have developed many top wide receivers over the years, including Terry McLaurin. McLaurin is in his eighth season in the league and has been an elite weapon for the Washington Commanders.

However, McLaurin's season is over, as he suffered a torn patellar tendon against the San Francisco 49ers. McLaurin was carted off the field in an air cast. He had one reception for 27 yards before his injury. The veteran will now look to rehab from his injury and play at a high level when he returns in the 2027 season.

In five games in 2026, the 31-year-old wideout had 15 receptions for 230 yards and a touchdown. McLaurin has surpassed 1,000 yards in five of his eight seasons in the NFL, proving to be a stable weapon despite many changes to the coaching staff, quarterback, and roster during his time in Washington.

In his career, he has 513 receptions for 7,191 yards and 42 touchdowns across 112 games.

McLaurin was a solid weapon dating back to his tenure with Ohio State. In his sophomore campaign, he had 11 receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. His role increased in his junior season, as he had 29 receptions for 436 yards and six touchdowns.

McLaurin then became a pivotal part of the offense in his senior year, catching 35 passes for 701 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Commanders then selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he became a star in the NFL.

He didn't have the strongest career as a wide receiver at Ohio State, a program that has featured so many elite weapons over the years. Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and others posted elite numbers with the Buckeyes. All three of those wideouts went on to be first-round selections, while McLaurin was a Day 2 pick.

However, McLaurin was still a valuable weapon for Ohio State and has excelled in a larger role in the NFL.

He has been a great route-runner and can make contested catches downfield for big gains. 

With McLaurin out for the season, it is a huge loss for Washington, as he's consistently been the top weapon on offense. The former Ohio State star is signed through the 2028 season to a three-year, $97 million deal and will look to return next season and get back to being the Commanders' best receiver.