Commanders activate WR Terry McLaurin off PUP list as contract extension talks linger

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders activated Terry McLaurin off the physically unable to perform list Saturday amid lingering contract extension talks with the All-Pro wide receiver.

McLaurin, who is entering the final year of a three-year, $68.2 million contract signed in 2022, reported to the team July 27 after skipping the initial four days of training camp and June’s mandatory minicamp. That turned a holdout to a hold-in but has not necessarily accelerated extension talks or returned McLaurin to practice. The team placed its top target on the PUP list with an ankle injury, and McLaurin requested a trade July 31.

McLaurin and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels fueled an offense that ranked fifth in points scored last season and carried the Commanders to a 12-5 regular-season record and the franchise’s first NFC championship game appearance since 1991. They haven’t built off that success in camp with the Sept. 7 regular-season opener against the New York Giants approaching. Three other offensive starters have missed significant time with injuries.

The activation comes one day after offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury expressed a desire to work with a full lineup. “We need to start getting those guys, when they’re available out there,” Kingsbury said.