The Commanders placed McLaurin (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.
McLaurin's move to IR was merely a formality, as the 31-year-old wideout was recently diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee that will require season-ending surgery. The transaction clears a spot on the 53-man roster for fellow wideout Van Jefferson, whom the Commanders signed off their practice squad.