Terry McLaurin’s absence from training camp was brief—just four days. However, upon his return on Sunday, he still wasn’t able to take part in practices for the foreseeable future. McLaurin, 29, arrived with an ankle injury, which Washington’s coach Dan Quinn confirmed, noting that he wouldn’t be able to practice right away.
The exact nature of the ankle injury remains unclear until McLaurin undergoes further evaluation. He’s seeking to negotiate an extension on his current contract, which runs through the 2025 season. Even though he’s on the PUP list, Quinn mentioned that discussions about his contract would keep happening on a “business side,” according to ESPN.
Quinn expressed enthusiasm about McLaurin’s presence at camp, saying, “It was great. I’m really excited to be here. He’s such a great competitor. I had the opportunity to spend time together yesterday.”
McLaurin, a former third-round draft choice, has exceeded 1,000 receiving yards for five consecutive seasons. Last regular season, he caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, contributing to an unexpected playoff run for the team, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
In the playoffs, he added another 227 yards and three touchdowns over three games. Still, despite Washington’s offseason additions aimed at improvement and the promising future with Daniels at quarterback, contract issues have remained a pressing concern.
On July 15, McLaurin expressed his desire to stay with the Commanders but also voiced frustration over the stalled contract talks, which hadn’t progressed in over a month. “I was pretty annoyed, but I never lied,” he stated, describing the situation as disappointing. He emphasized his commitment to the team and the life he has built there.
McLaurin missed a mandatory mini-camp, which resulted in a fine of $105,000, a sum that reportedly escalated to over $300,000 after his four-day absence from training camp.
After reporting to camp, Quinn mentioned that McLaurin “looked like himself.” The receiver is set to earn $15.5 million under his current contract this season. “Terry has always been a serious competitor,” Quinn noted, complementing McLaurin’s dedication and the strong relationships he has forged with his teammates.
The Commanders are set to kick off their regular season at home against the Giants on September 7.
