Terry McLaurin Activated off PUP List By Commanders Amid Contract Talks, NFL Rumors

The Washington Commanders announced Saturday they activated wide receiver Terry McLaurin from the active/physically unable to perform list.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the move is "unrelated" to continued negotiations over a new contract with the two-time Pro Bowler. Washington originally placed him on the PUP list in July due to an ankle injury.

Head coach Dan Quinn addressed the situation:

McLaurin is in the final year of his contract and he has made clear his desire for a raise.

ESPN's John Keim reported on Wednesday the 29-year-old is using D.K. Metcalf's extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a general baseline for his demands. Metcalf penned a four-year deal that averages $33 million annually.

However, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Aug. 7 that "the Washington Commanders have only been slightly above where he was from before, which is $23 million." Compounding matters, McLaurin's trade market is reportedly limited if that was a path the Commanders were even willing to consider.

Keim cited sources who said $28 million could be a workable middle ground for the two sides. For now, it doesn't sound like they're close to a breakthrough.

Activating McLaurin was mostly a procedural decision. Any player on the PUP list through the final roster cutdown deadline (Aug. 26) has to sit out at least the first four games of the season.

As long as he's staging a hold-in, McLaurin's availability for Week 1 against the New York Giants can't be assumed. But it wouldn't have made much sense to rule him out entirely by leaving him on the PUP list.