Takeaways: Terry McLaurin's Injury, Commanders MNF Loss vs Niners

The Washington Commanders fell short in primetime against the San Francisco 49ers in a 23-17 finish in Levi's Stadium. Breaking down the main takeaways coming out of the loss with the Commanders heading into the bye week sitting at 1-4-1.

Terry McLaurin Among Injuries

Maybe the biggest storyline coming out of the loss was the loss of wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

The veteran went down midway through the first quarter on what appeared to be a non-contact play and immediately holding his left knee, eventually leaving the game on a cart with an air cast on that knee. The team ruled McLaurin out shortly after as tight end Chig Okonkwo posted 69 yards on seven catches, both season highs, and Stefon Diggs active and totaling six in the narrow defeat.

Head coach Dan Quinn noted postgame that the fear is that McLaurin's injury is "significant" with the 31 year old wide receiver set to undergo further testing on Tuesday.

McLaurin wasn't the only one to go down after defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, who entered kickoff with a questionable tag, required medical attention after the Niners' final touchdown before being ruled out with a knee injury. Right guard Sam Cosmi briefly went out after taking a direct tackle from rookie defensive lineman Gracen Halton, though he was able to ultimately return.

Dan Quinn Takes More Heat

Washington's second half comeback was sparked by maybe the most efficient half since the week three win after outscoring the Niners, 14-3, and forcing punts in each of the last three drives.

Washington also had two chances to win the game in the closing minutes of the  game, first a failed fourth down attempt then a sack on the game's final play, yet it could have ended differently.

That's because of the first half as the Commanders' drive that spilled into the second quarter ended on a failed fourth down attempt, a questionable play result with quarterback Jayden Daniels throwing the ball away on a do-or-die play. Yet Quinn was also seen on the broadcast signaling for the field goal unit to come on the field, seemingly unaware of the down.

When asked postgame, Quinn noted he and the staff was aware of the situation after noting he was debating the post-penalty ramifications and whether the penalty resulted in another fourth down play.

Still, in hindsight, it's a play that looms large, though, with a potential field goal opportunity wiped off the board. Add in the Commanders' need for a touchdown at the end, the game could have fared differently -- for a second straight week.

Commanders Defense Struggles Early vs. Niners Stars

Wide receiver Mike Evans was the first one to run all over the Commanders' defense on Monday night. Quarterback Brock Purdy connected with Evans for his second completion of the day that pushed the offense into Commanders' territory. That set up tight end George Kittle to cap off the opening drive with an 11 yard receiving touchdown that pushed Washington into a deficit they couldn't climb out of the rest of the day.

The second scoring drive was all made possible after Evans took the opening play 54 yards, immediately putting the Niners in another redzone opportunity.

Running back Christian McCaffrey punched in the second and third touchdown of the night while averaging 5.5 yards per carry through the first 30 minutes when excluding the pair of one-yard rushing scores. Yet there was some good from the defense in the first half after linebacker Sonny Styles broke up a pass intended for Evans on third down by, frankly, ripping it out of the veteran receiver's hands to force a punt in the closing minute of the first quarter. Still, the rush defense proved porous after giving up chunk plays to McCaffrey and Purdy, who tallied 28 rushes on five attempts which featured both a third and fourth down conversion.

The bigger positive is the uptick in the Commanders' defensive production over the final 30 minutes to give the offense a shot at clawing back in the game, limiting McCaffrey to 2.2 yards per carry and Purdy to four completions and 50 passing yards in the second half. Still, the wait remains for defensive coordinator Daronte Jones to put full game together.