Terry McLaurin injury update: Commanders star placed on PUP list after ending holdout over contract

Terry McLaurin reported to training camp on Sunday, but don't expect to see the Commanders' star on the field anytime soon.

Washington's top wide receiver was holding out for a new contract, and he's still searching for a long-term deal. However, McLaurin didn't show up to training camp fully healthy. While it could be a way for him to just work off to the side, the Commanders have added him to the PUP list due to an ankle injury.

Frequently referred to as a "hold-in," this could be one of those ankle injuries that clears up magically when his new contract is signed, but the longer it lasts, the more worrisome it becomes for the start of the regular season. 

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Here are the latest injury updates for McLaurin.

Terry McLaurin injury update

McLaurin is on the PUP list. That means that he counts against Washington's roster maximum for training camp and is not allowed to participate in any on-field activities. The WR can participate in drills off to the side of practice and attend team meetings.

"He can return at any point and immediately be removed from the list," per the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. 

It's unclear when McLaurin suffered the injury. He was with the Commanders at the start of their offseason program but participated sparingly in OTAs before completely skipping mandatory minicamp in his desire for a new contract. Head coach Dan Quinn said that McLaurin's ankle was bothering him at the end of last season, and it isn't uncommon for that to linger.

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Terry McLaurin contract

McLaurin was holding out of training camp because he wants a new deal. He is currently only under contract through the upcoming 2025 season. While players have only so much leverage when it comes to negotiations, one common practice is holding out of team activities. This meant that when Washington started training camp, McLaurin wasn't there.

He was getting fined $50,000 a day that he missed, and so he finally decided to join the Commanders on July 27. Since McLaurin missed out on a $500,000 workout bonus, he has lost more than $800,000 total this offseason in his quest for a new contract. 

Terry McLaurin reporting back to the Commanders should not be confused with progress on a deal. The two sides remain apart on a contract, and will continue discussions aimed at a new deal.

The $50K daily fines for McLaurin have come to an end; the contract impasse has not. https://t.co/xka4EPgFaX

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2025

His ankle injury had him working off to the side anyway, but at least he isn't amassing any more fines. While McLaurin works on getting healthy for the start of the preseason games and the regular season, his team is still negotiating a long-term extension with Washington. 

"I feel like I’m one of the best receivers in this league, and it’s not because I just feel that way — I feel like I’ve proven it," McLaurin has said. "I’ll continue to work hard to prove it.”

McLaurin is set to make $19.7 million in total cash this season, which is the 15th-highest among wide receivers, but he feels he needs to be further compensated. 

Jhabvala says that McLaurin hasn't indicated how much he is looking for. The expectation is that he wants around $32 to $33 million annually. DK Metcalf (five-year, $150 million) and Garrett Wilson (four-year, $130 million) signed deals this offseason that are likely in the range of what McLaurin wants but not necessarily what he should expect to get.

Metcalf is 27 and Wilson is 25, but McLaurin will turn 30 at the start of the 2025 season. The Washington WR may be able to secure an annual salary increase, but with only nine players over 31 achieving over 1,000 receiving yards in a season in the past decade, it is likely to be a short-term deal. 

Commanders WR depth chart

Here is a look at Washington's projected wide receiver depth chart for 2025.