The Washington Commanders have made a move to bolster their offense, bringing in Treylon Burks, a former first-round pick of the Titans, ahead of their upcoming NFC East clash with the Dallas Cowboys.
This signing comes at a critical moment, as star receiver Terry McLaurin has faced significant setbacks. He has missed the last three games and was limited in practice this week due to a quadriceps injury, causing him to be sidelined for Thursday’s session.
Given McLaurin’s uncertain status for Week 7, Washington desperately needs playmakers in its receiving lineup. Burks will initially join the practice squad but is anticipated to be elevated quickly, as the team seeks to fill its roster with healthy players.
Burks was the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, selected out of Arkansas. Unfortunately, his time in the league hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. There were high hopes, with comparisons to stars like Julio Jones and Dez Bryant, but, in reality, he struggled significantly with the Titans.
The Eagles, initially holding that 18th pick, had traded it along with a later pick to acquire AJ Brown. The Titans, instead, decided to shake things up and selected Burks.
During his rookie season, Burks totaled only 444 receiving yards and a single touchdown across 11 games. It wasn’t an impressive debut, and his performance noticeably dipped thereafter. Quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill and Will Revis managed a combined 3,424 yards with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in a challenging season for the Titans.
DeAndre Hopkins was the standout receiver last year with 1,057 yards, while Burks recorded just 221 yards during what was supposed to be his second season. Injuries took their toll, limiting him to five games and culminating in a torn ACL late in the year.
Burks’ situation worsened in July when he suffered a broken collarbone and was subsequently waived earlier this month as the Titans opted against exercising his fifth-year option.
If McLaurin isn’t able to play, Washington’s receiving lineup could consist of Deebo Samuel, Luke McCaffrey, Chris Moore, and maybe Burks, who had previously taken Burks’ place on the Titans during the 2023 season.
