The NFL’s television business carries on. Terry McLaurin’s season ended with a torn patellar tendon. Washington’s season continues.

Coach Dan Quinn announced the season-ending injury Tuesday, after Washington pushed San Francisco hard in a 23-17 defeat. The 49ers reached 6-0. Washington came away with a narrow loss and a much longer absence.

For McLaurin, the remaining season becomes recovery. For the teammates who keep playing, it becomes the weekly business of trying to make an offense work without him. A close game against an unbeaten opponent offers encouragement. It supplies precisely no replacement tendons.

Follow the money underneath the injury report: broadcasters buy the league’s scheduled games. They get Washington for the remaining fixtures, with the players Washington can put on the field. The season continues even when someone worth making the appointment for cannot play.

For the fan watching from Hong Kong, the alarm still goes off. Washington must now supply those hours of football without McLaurin.