The Washington Commanders are back from the bye week rested and ready for their final playoff push of the season, but they'll do so without one of their most reliable offensive weapons.
Noah Brown, who came out of the Commanders 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 1, suffered a "significant internal injury" and is "going to be out for a while," coach Dan Quinn said in his Wednesday press conference. The injury will likely end Brown's season, Quinn added later.
"That one hurts," Quinn said. "He's been absolutely one of our glue guys. During the game, between him and the medical staff, they did a really good job to address what was a serious injury. Fortunately, he's going to be OK, but it's gonna knock him out for a bit."
Brown, signed by the Commanders after training camp, has been a favorite target for quarterback Jayden Daniels and often delivered in key moments. He's third on the team in targets (56) and yards (453), and he's accounted for 21 first downs.
Fans will remember him catching the 52-yard Hail Mary that helped the Commanders beat the Chicago Bears earlier this season, but he's also had moments like his 34-yard catch in Week 2 against the New York Giants that helped the Commanders get in field goal range to win, 21-18. At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Brown has provided Daniels with a target that is unique to every other player on the roster.
Although Quinn alluded to the Commanders having plenty of depth at wide receiver, they will be hard-pressed to find an exact replacement for Brown.
"He's just such a tough, hard-ass competitor," Quinn said. "I love that he brings that to the team. I know he'll get back and he'll get well, but it's definitely a tough one for us because [of] not just what he brings on the field, but what he brings off the field as a ball player and as a man."
As the Commanders prepare to improve their playoff standing and get their first winning season since 2016, they will need to call on other depth pieces to step up in Brown's absence. One such player could be rookie Luke McCaffrey, who has 16 receptions for 155 yards this season and caught two passes for 13 yards against the Titans two weeks ago.
McCaffrey averages 1.5 targets per game this season but has produced in critical moments. Against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in Week 3, McCaffrey caught a pass on fourth-and-2 and turned it into a 30-yard gain. He also caught a fourth-down pass against the Titans that helped close out the game.
"My biggest thing with him is his work ethic and his fearlessness is through the roof," offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said of McCaffrey Oct. 17. "He's out there on Sundays, he wants the ball. He's not afraid of the moment, and then every day of practice you almost gotta slow him down because he's doing so much and wants every rep he can get and won't come off the field."
Four-year veteran Dyami Brown could be another answer. The 2021 third-round pick is having the best season of his career so far with 20 catches on 27 targets with 206 yards. He was viewed as a deep threat when he was drafted out of North Carolina, and he put that on display with a 41-yard touchdown grab against the Cleveland Browns, but he's also shown promise as a target on screen passes, as he's shown solid vision and ability to weave around defenders for sizable gains.
"I'm really proud of him [Dyami], the plays he has made," Kingsbury said. "He's a very explosive player. And has just continued to get better, his approach, great work ethic and just keeps making plays when he is called upon."
No matter which receiver, whether it's one or many, emerges this week, Daniels is confident in his options.
"They put in the work daily," Daniels said. "Getting here early, staying after practice and putting in the work. Obviously, the work you put in, that's the product you're going to see on Sundays."
The team could also be getting some veteran help at the position with Jamison Crowder having his 21-day window open for him to return from Injured Reserve. At 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, Crowder doesn't offer the exact same skill set as Brown. However, he does play in the slot as well as a punt returner, and Quinn complemented his talent in both areas.
Crowder still needs to be activated and be cleared to return by the team before he can help the Commanders' offense, though.
"We're not gonna miss one step," Quinn said. "If it's ready, and it fits, then we'll do it. And if we need more space and runway to do that, we'll go that way. Like most big decisions, you take the time you need to make the right decision."
