With just over three weeks remaining before the regular season kicks off, the Washington Commanders have not finalized a new contract with wide receiver Terry McLaurin. As a result, McLaurin has remained sidelined from active participation during team practices, limiting his on-field involvement despite being present for meetings and other off-field team activities.
Kliff Kingsbury Emphasizes Urgency for On-Field Collaboration
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury acknowledged the growing time pressure to unify the offense, stressing that actual practice on the field is crucial. He stated,
“time on task together on the grass is really the only way you can continue to build,”
highlighting the necessity for players to practice collectively in order to develop team chemistry. Kingsbury added,
“I don’t know exactly how much you can get out of that,”
further noting,
“I think we’re kind of at that point to where we need to start getting those guys, when they’re available, out there and jelling to see where we are as an offense.”
Additional Injuries Compound Offensive Challenges
Beyond McLaurin’s limited availability, wide receiver Noah Brown has been coping with an injury throughout the summer. The Commanders face a pressing need to reintegrate both players and other team members to ensure the offense is prepared and cohesive heading into Week 1.
Implications for the Commanders’ Early Season Performance
The ongoing delay in Terry McLaurin‘s contract agreement, paired with injury setbacks across the squad, creates uncertainty about how quickly the Commanders’ offense will find rhythm as the season opener approaches. The emphasis on increased on-field practice signals the coaching staff’s intent to accelerate the team’s preparation despite these obstacles, underscoring the importance of securing key players and building strong chemistry before the first game.