DeeboSamuel

News: 1 day agoSamuel (hand) returned to practice Monday, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Spin: He hurt his hand/finger Saturday while diving for a catch at practice. The quick return to training camp confirms it's nothing serious, giving Samuel plenty of chances to continue building chemistry with QB Jayden Daniels while No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin remains away from the team. McLaurin has requested a trade, but the Commanders reportedly aren't considering it and prefer to continue extension negotiations instead.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Samuel was traded to the Commanders after spending his first six pro seasons with the 49ers. One of the league's most versatile offensive players, Samuel has 50-plus catches and 37-plus carries in each of the past four seasons. The fantasy output has been volatile, however, as he was a top-12 in PPG in 2021 and 2023, but outside the top 25 the other four seasons. Durability has been an issue, as he's yet to play a full regular season. With Terry McLaurin as his only notable target competition, Samuel has a path to similar usage to what he saw in San Francisco. That should allow starting-caliber fantasy production, but the high likelihood of missed action pushes him down to a midround draft-day target.