Deebo Samuel Expected to Play for Commanders in Primetime Showdown Against Bears
In an exciting Week 6 “Monday Night Football” matchup, the Washington Commanders are set to face the Chicago Bears in a game that features a compelling quarterback duel between the top two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft. Jayden Daniels, selected second overall by Washington, will go head-to-head with Chicago’s Caleb Williams, who was taken with the first pick. This rookie quarterback showdown has generated significant buzz, but the availability of key offensive weapons has been a major storyline heading into the contest. The Commanders received a significant boost when veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who had been listed as questionable with a heel injury, was reported by ESPN’s Lisa Salters to be expected to play. This news was later confirmed by Adam Schefter, who announced that Samuel was officially active for the game, providing Daniels with an important offensive weapon for the primetime matchup.
The positive update on Samuel’s status comes at a crucial time for Washington, as the team will be without star receiver Terry McLaurin, who was ruled out earlier in the week with a nagging quad injury. Additionally, wide receiver Noah Brown remains sidelined with a groin issue that has kept him out of action for the Commanders’ past three games. Samuel’s presence becomes even more vital given these absences, as he has quickly established himself as one of Daniels’ most reliable targets since joining Washington in an offseason trade with the San Francisco 49ers. The Commanders acquired the versatile 29-year-old playmaker for a fifth-round draft pick before the 2025 season, a move that has already paid significant dividends for the team’s offense during the first five weeks of the season.
Samuel’s impact on the Commanders’ offense has been immediate and substantial. Through five games with Washington, he has accumulated 30 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while also contributing in the ground game with seven carries for 46 yards and an additional touchdown. His multifaceted skill set allows the Commanders to deploy him in various ways, creating matchup problems for opposing defenses and providing Daniels with a dynamic weapon who can turn short passes into big gains. This versatility was on full display in Washington’s Week 5 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, when Samuel entered the game with the same heel injury but still managed to lead all receivers with eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Commanders’ convincing 27-10 win.
The connection between Daniels and Samuel has developed rapidly, with the rookie quarterback already showing tremendous trust in his veteran receiver. “Everything he did in San [Francisco], he’s doing that here,” Daniels said earlier this week, highlighting Samuel’s seamless transition to the Commanders’ offense. “So, we find ways to just to get him the ball and let him make plays.” This statement underscores the value Samuel brings to Washington – not just in terms of production, but also in providing a reliable target for a first-year quarterback still adjusting to the NFL. Samuel’s experience and proven playmaking ability have made him an ideal security blanket for Daniels, who has impressively guided the Commanders to a strong start in his rookie campaign.
The importance of Samuel’s availability extends beyond just replacing McLaurin’s production. His unique skill set as a “wide back” – a term coined during his time in San Francisco to describe his hybrid wide receiver/running back abilities – gives the Commanders’ offensive coordinator Dan Quinn additional flexibility in designing plays. Samuel’s prowess after the catch and his capability to line up in the backfield add dimensions to Washington’s offense that few other players in the league can provide. This versatility will be particularly valuable against a young and talented Chicago defense that has shown flashes of excellence but remains vulnerable to creative offensive schemes. The matchup between Samuel and the Bears’ secondary could prove to be a critical factor in determining the outcome of this primetime contest.
As the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on the rookie quarterback battle between Daniels and Williams, but Samuel’s presence could ultimately be the difference-maker for Washington. The Commanders will look to capitalize on Samuel’s availability to maintain their early-season momentum, while the Bears will need to devise a game plan to contain the versatile weapon. Beyond the individual matchups, this Monday night showdown represents an important benchmark for both franchises as they build around their young quarterbacks. For the Commanders specifically, having Samuel on the field gives them a significantly better chance to showcase their offensive potential on the national stage, potentially announcing themselves as legitimate contenders in an increasingly competitive NFC landscape.
