The Washington Commanders started strong in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs, but their offense couldn’t sustain the momentum. Costly mistakes and mounting injuries contributed to a 28-7 defeat. Among the concerns was kicker Matt Gay’s injury, which many thought might influence head coach Dan Quinn’s playcalling decisions.

However, Quinn clarified that his fourth-down choices weren’t affected by the kicker’s absence. “Dan Quinn said their plan was to be bold and aggressive,” Nicki Jhabvala wrote on X. “So going for it twice on fourth down was not a reaction to losing K Matt Gay and turning to Matthew Wright hours before kickoff.” The Commanders failed to convert both fourth-down attempts.

Just before the game, Gay was ruled out due to his back injury. At the same time, the team signed kicker Matthew Wright to the practice squad.

“The #Commanders signed K Matthew Wright to the practice squad and elevated him for tonight’s game. K Matt Gay (back) has been downgraded to out,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport wrote on X.

And soon after Gay’s injury, there was chatter about the coach’s strategy. It’s understandable considering how the kicker has had a good season so far, going 10 of 14 on field goal attempts and 18 of 18 on PATS. However, the Commanders have struggled in the last few weeks, losing to the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys. And while both Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel returned for the Chiefs game, they failed to make any real impact.

McLaurin recorded just 3 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, while Samuel finished the game with 3 receptions for 11 yards.

Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota, who stepped in for the injured Jayden Daniels, also struggled in the game, completing 21 of 30 passes for 213 yards and taking two sacks. What’s worse for the Commanders is that the game left them with fresh injury concerns.

Dan Quinn shares an update on two major injuries

Matt Gay’s injury isn’t the only concern for the Commanders. Head coach Dan Quinn also addressed defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw’s status. According to NFL reporter Ben Standig, Quinn said Kinlaw, who exited the game early, was capable of returning to play, but the team chose to rest him instead.

Meanwhile, McLaurin left the game in the fourth quarter after re-aggravating the quad injury that had kept him out of the last four games. Per Standig, Quinn couldn’t give a concrete assessment of the situation. McLaurin, however, told reporters that he was feeling alright and would be taking his recovery “day-by-day” and “see how the week goes from there.”

Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil sustained a hamstring injury in the first quarter of the game. Although he returned briefly, he was ruled out in the second half. Tunsil is one of the league’s top offensive linemen, and players like him are vital if the Commanders hope to snap their three-game losing streak.