Ashburn, Virginia.In the midst of ongoing negotiations with the All-Pro wide receiver for a contract extension, the Washington Commanders activated Terry McLaurin from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday.
After missing the first four days of training camp and the required minicamp in June, McLaurin, who is starting the last year of a three-year, $68.2 million contract signed in 2022, reported to the club on July 27. Though it hasn’t necessarily sped up extension negotiations or brought McLaurin back to practice, it did turn a holdout into a hold-in. Due to an ankle injury, the team placed its top target on the PUP list, and on July 31, McLaurin asked to be traded.
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He did not participate in Saturday’s final practice for Washington before their home game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
The Commanders finished 12-5 in the regular season and advanced to their first NFC championship game since 1991 thanks to an offense spearheaded by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and McLaurin that was fifth in points scored the previous season. With the regular-season opener against the New York Giants on September 7th quickly approaching, they haven’t built on that success in camp. Due to injury, three additional offensive starters have missed a lot of time.
Kliff Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator, stated that he would like to work with a full lineup the day before the activation. According to Kingsbury, we must begin acquiring those men as soon as they become available.
According to head coach Dan Quinn, the purpose of the PUP activation was to start the return-to-play process, which will allow McLaurin to acclimate physically in time for a potential return to action during the regular season. Quinn also stated that the receiver was following the same workout regimen as everyone else.
Quinn stated after Saturday’s practice that “we have a real process in our return-to-play that we believe in.” We are aware that it is effective. All those steps will be hit.
McLaurin is unlikely to play in either of Washington’s remaining preseason games, according to Quinn. Quinn stated that Daniels and other starters are anticipated to play a couple series against the Bengals in their preseason debut.
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