- Terry McLaurin
- Deebo Samuel
- Jaylin Lane
- Noah Brown
- Luke McCaffrey
McLaurin was on the Physically Unable to Perform list with an ankle injury for most of camp, but it appears as if he is getting closer to a return to the field. Quinn said he is healthy and has begun the conditioning part of his return to play process. There is not an exact date for when that will be, but the hope is that he will be ready for Week 1. McLaurin recently signed a multi-year extension that will keep him in Washington for the foreseeable future.
Samuel has been one of the offense’s most exciting pieces in camp, thanks to his budding connection with Daniels. He has been at multiple spots on the field, but his most exciting moments have come on deep passes downfield, as he has come down with catches for explosive gains, often while double covered.
“I just think he’s starting to understand how I see things, and I love to hear his feedback,” Daniels said. “As far as what he’s seeing, because obviously I’m not the one running a route.”
Lane showed steady improvement throughout camp and made difficult catches during the Commanders’ preseason games. The staff is still trying to figure out his full skill set, but they like his quickness, route running and feel for how to find soft spots in coverage. It is also expected that Lane will be the team’s punt returner, although the team has made no official designation yet.
Like McLaurin, Brown has missed most of camp, although his issues have been with a knee injury. However, there were positive signs during the Commanders’ final preseason game, as he was spotted running routes before kickoff. Like the rest of the Commanders’ injured players, the hope is to have him ready for Week 1.
“I was really encouraged by what I saw today, too,” Quinn said Saturday. “He is such a competitor, so like to see him full speed, making all the stops, you’ve heard me use the word like ‘decel’ — how aggressively he can stop and that’s what makes playing the position so unique. Not just the speed to get over the top, but all of it. But he really looked like himself today.”
McCaffrey was lined up on the outside and in the slot during camp, and the team is confident in what he can offer them. Quinn said McCaffrey has been “one hell of a competitor,” and they expect him to bring that mentality with him in his second season.
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