The revolving injury status of star wide receiver Terry McLaurin means the Washington Commanders couldn’t ignore the availability of a proven target with a 1,000-yard season on his CV.
It makes sense the Commanders re-signed Robbie Chosen to the practice squad on Wednesday, October 29. The move was reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
Chosen was originally acquired by the Commanders on September 30. At the time, his arrival was to cover injury issues involving McLaurin and Noah Brown.
A mere four catches for 36 yards followed before Chosen was cut loose before the Commanders faced the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 8. That move was made “so the team could sign K Matthew Wright,” according to The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala, who also detailed how “Chosen watched the game from the press box, traveled back with the team and re-signed shortly after Washington released Wright.”
Now, recent history is repeating itself, with the Commanders needing help at receiver while McLaurin is again nursing a quad injury.
Robbie Chosen Still Has Value for Commanders
Chosen has a checkered NFL history, but his career numbers also include tallying 95 receptions for 1,096 yards with the Carolina Panthers back in 2020. What the 32-year-old has always been able to do is take the top off of defenses.
He’s averaged over 10 yards per reception nine times during his career, per Pro Football Reference. Chosen’s also amassed double-digit yards before catch per reception four times.
That’s a valuable trait for a Commanders passing game needing more big plays through the air. One side of the offense has become decidedly small-ball in nature while veteran backup Marcus Mariota has stood in for injured starting quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Not having Daniels available hasn’t helped, but other receivers have struggled to step up for Mariota. Daniels is trending toward returning from a hamstring injury, preferably in time for Week 9’s game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, but he’ll need more from a decorated All-Pro and a raw but talented rookie.
Commanders Need More from Other Receivers
McLaurin being in an out of the lineup this season has rendered the sudden-strike capability of Washington’s pass attack erratic at best. It hasn’t helped other receivers have had issues with ball security.
Those problems showed up vividly when dual-threat Pro Bowler Deebo Samuel let this pass get away against the Chiefs. It led to an interception that killed what had been a hugely impressive opening drive on the road.
Samuel wasn’t the only wideout unable to reel in catches. The malaise also impacted 2025 NFL draft fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane, who suffered a key drop and was guilty of a similar gaffe in the return game.
Lane has obvious potential as an after-catch playmaker, but his ability to turn short grabs into longer gains isn’t what the Commanders are missing most. Not when Samuel is also an extension of their running game.
What’s missing is the ability to gain yards in chunks. Chosen still possesses that talent, so he’s likely to have a role to play this season, especially if McLaurin is sidelined.
Commanders Bring Back 1,000-yd Wide Receiver