Commanders coach Dan Quinn is a fan of wide receiver Treylon Burks

Treylon Burks entered the NFL under challenging circumstances. The Tennessee Titans traded away star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles and used one of the picks they received, No. 18 overall in the 2022 NFL draft, to choose Burks.

Things didn't go well for Burks. Tennessee had quarterback issues, and Burks fought injuries. After three seasons with the Titans, they waived him in October. The Washington Commanders signed Burks to their practice squad with the intention of adding him to the 53-man roster this season. After less than three weeks, Washington signed Burks to the main roster, and he was immediately active.

Burks' first game, against Seattle in Week 9, saw him catch his only target for 14 yards. The following week against the Detroit Lions, Burks played 21 snaps and caught all three of his targets for 58 yards. Burks looked good, catching one deep ball and two others in traffic.

Could Washington have found a gem in Burks?

Sadly for Burks, he was back on the injured list after Week 10. He suffered a broken finger against the Lions and did not make the trip to Spain with the Commanders for their Week 11 game against the Dolphins. Burks underwent surgery.

Had the injury bug struck Burks again?

Fortunately, Burks was back at practice last week and will play in Washington's Week 13 game against the Denver Broncos. Head coach Dan Quinn has been impressed with Burks.

"In the short time that I've gotten to know him, I've sensed first like a hungry competitor, and uh, and we've seen that a lot where somebody needs a fresh start, a fresh space, a new outlook, and sometimes a new space to go do that and express who they are as a player," Quinn said on Friday.

"What I've since learned is the competitor, I'm ready for that, I'm ready for that. He was, you know, so much is I'll do the kickoff return, I want to punt return. Like you feel his energy of wanting to prove it and I think that's a good thing. What I've also learned, just the size, you know, for him, like when you're around him, like, man, this is a big receiver and so that's different. And I think having that kind of versatility is a big deal. But I like if there was a hunger index, his is really high and I liked that about him."

Burks may never have a better opportunity to resuscitate his career than over Washington's final six games. The Commanders badly need help at receiver. When the season concludes, only McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane are under contract in 2026. Washington will undoubtedly look to add a receiver high in the NFL draft or free agency, but the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Burks has a chance to play himself into the Commanders' plans.

While Washington will again be without quarterback Jayden Daniels on Sunday, there's hope he can return in Week 14. Burks and Daniels have appeared in one game together thus far.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn a fan of WR Treylon Burks