Terry McLaurin reportedly skips start of Commanders training camp, signaling holdout as Pro Bowl WR seeks a new deal
The Washington Commanders wide receiver missed a conditioning drill at the start of training camp on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. All other Commanders players were present for the drill, according to the report.
McLaurin's absence signals the start of a holdout as the two-time Pro Bowl receiver seeks a new contract.
This story will be updated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cardinal Newman's Zamarii Sanders embraces Tyreek Hill race banter: 'It's supposed to happen'
WEST PALM BEACH — Zamarii Sanders has had an offseason to remember and that's not just because his football team is among the best in the state of Florida. The Cardinal Newman receiver made headlines for a proposed race between him and Miami Dolphins superstar receiver Tyreek Hill. "After I won nationals at New Balance, I started getting more recognition," Sanders said. "I called him out, but he didn't see it. But he has connections that reached out to him to race me, and they put the FaceTime call together." 305 Sports, a sports promotion and marketing social media account, originally put forth the idea for the race by connecting the speedy pair during a summer workout. "I don't care what grade you're in," Hill responded to the idea of a race with Sanders. "High school, middle school ... If we're talking about that chicken, you're going to lose." More: Tyreek Hill vs. Zamarii Sanders? 5 things you may have missed from Palm Beach summer football Sanders' notoriety has skyrocketed, but not just because of the offseason banter with the Miami receiver. The Newman senior has redefined what it means to be fast at the high-school level and beyond. He's been called "They're Fastest Man in Florida" following six state championships in such sprint events as the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4x100 relay. Sweeping the 100- and 200-meter events at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals was the cherry on top, propelling him into even more national conversations. Not a bad formula for connecting with a sports role-model. Many have speculated whether the proposed race between Sanders and Hill could actually happen, but Sanders believes it will. "I've looked up to Tyreek Hill since I was little," Sanders said. "He was always fast, and I know I'm fast. To actually talk to him one on one about racing him was a blessing. I'm glad I'm going to get the opportunity to race him." "It's supposed to happen," Sanders added when asked if he felt the race would be scheduled. "It's supposed to happen. I don't know when, but it's supposed to happen, eventually." So, who's going to win? Sanders was nearly as quick with his answer as he is on the asphalt and field. "Me, obviously," Sanders said. Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Zamarii Sanders says race with Tyreek Hill still 'supposed to happen'
New York Times
27 minutes ago
- New York Times
How Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. is helping spark an attitude adjustment
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons talked loudly and publicly this offseason about their desire to add more edge rushers. What they talked about more quietly among themselves was their need to add more actual edge, as in the sort of feistiness and fight that was too often lacking on defense last season. Advertisement 'All the really great football players that I have been around, they have edge,' coach Raheem Morris said. 'Part of us becoming what we want to be is acquiring players with some natural edge. There's going to be some violence and physicality that's going to be required to be a part of this football team.' Enter James Pearce Jr., the rookie edge rusher who has been all over the field through the first four days of training camp practices, including in the middle of two fights that delayed Sunday's practice but also added some energy that was missing at times from the 2024 Falcons. 'Defenses are supposed to be known as ferocious, violent, all the strong words that you can use, so when you can add a little bit of edge the right way, obviously we are always looking for guys like that,' outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith said. 'He's been proving it.' Pearce was marked off the draft boards of multiple league teams because of attitude concerns, two league sources told The Athletic, but the Falcons spent extra time researching his background and were convinced enough of his character to trade back into the first round to take him with the 26th pick. The team has been happy with the early results of its decision. 'He's as prideful as it gets,' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. 'He wants to come out here and make a strong impression on everybody, himself included, that he can do this and do this at a high level. When every ounce of your body is trying to prove who you are, it can get a little wacky sometimes. His anger got the best of him at times, and it's going to be a great learning experience for him.' Built tuff 😤 — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) July 29, 2025 In the span of three plays on Sunday, Pearce had to be separated from offensive linemen Matthew Bergeron and Kaleb McGary as teammates swirled around them. Bergeron was especially heated, yelling at the rookie angrily as other Falcons got between the two. 'I'm not going to say James was completely innocent,' Morris said. 'He has his ways of getting under people's skin, and our offensive line has their way of dealing with it.' Advertisement Bergeron said he considers the matter dealt with. 'It stays on the field,' he said. 'We love each other in the locker room. I'm not worried about that. We talked it out, and everything is great. James is a great player. He's disruptive. When you have a bunch of passionate players, things like that happen. It's a physical game. We're playing football. Sometimes the tempers go up.' Pearce 'is going to help us win some games,' Bergeron said. 'I'm glad James is on our side,' he said. 'I remember being a rookie. You don't want to let anyone step on your toes, and I respect that. I think he's going to be a great player, and he's going to make a lot of plays.' Ulbrich praised Pearce for refocusing and making several plays after the Sunday skirmishes. On Tuesday, the team's first full practice after the fights, Pearce received his heaviest workload of camp and drew a holding call on left tackle Jake Matthews that negated a touchdown pass from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to running back Bijan Robinson. 'He's a baller,' Penix said. 'Can't wait to see him on Sundays. He's been making a lot of plays. He brings intensity every day.' Edge rusher Leonard Floyd, a nine-year veteran who joined the Falcons as a free agent this offseason, was the first player to come to Pearce's aid in the fights. 'I learned that from Aaron Donald when I was in L.A.,' Floyd said. 'You have to ride for your guys on defense. Even if he's in the wrong, you have to ride for him. I saw a whole lot of white jerseys and his one little black jersey, so I ran over there to defend him.' The rookie is on the right path so far, Floyd said. 'He's a good dude, he comes out and works hard,' he said. 'The (offensive) linemen don't like it when a guy works hard, so that's a good thing.' Actually, offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford said, 'We love it.' 'It's like guys driving in NASCAR, you want to take it to the limit as close as you can get to the wall without crashing,' he said. 'That's what we have to learn.' Even some of the offensive skill-position players enjoyed it. 'I love seeing the boys going at it,' wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud said. 'It shows the fire. I told the DBs, as long as y'all don't jump in, we're good. We'll let those big boys tussle it out, and we'll see y'all next play.' Ulbrich, too, liked the idea behind the intensity if not the final result. He wants his players 'right to that point to where we want to throw a punch, but we don't,' he said. Advertisement Hiring Ulbrich in the offseason to replace the fired Jimmy Lake was part of Morris' plan to overhaul the defense's attitude and results. The Falcons finished 23rd in points allowed (24.9) and 29th in defensive DVOA. 'We're trying to develop a culture, a style of play, and part of that is the violence with which we play and the aggression and urgency,' Ulbrich said. Ulbrich spent the last four seasons as defensive coordinator of the New York Jets. 'Brick definitely brings a standard with him,' defensive lineman Zach Harrison said. 'You feel that at practice for sure.' Even quarterback Kirk Cousins has noticed. 'There's a little bit of that culture in that coaching tree. I really like it,' Cousins said. 'It brings a lot of energy. I think you are going to feel that intensity every day in practice because they don't pick their spots. They're going to be that way all the time. They are going to have their hair on fire.' Initially, Cousins wasn't sure if the talk of the new demeanor was just talk, but he's become a believer a week into practice. 'Sometimes on the offense, you kind of roll your eyes. It feels a little JV and a little rah-rah, but I have to be honest, I think it's the way to go,' he said. 'I think it elevates people and brings out the best in them.' All the talk that comes across as 'rah-rah' is part of the evolution of a change, Morris said. 'It becomes authentic. It becomes who they are,' he said. 'It becomes contagious throughout the building. I can already feel that edge.' Second-year defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, who will have a bigger role this year after the departure of Grady Jarrett, is happy to be part of the attitude adjustment. He said he 'really loved' the Sunday shoving matches. 'It makes practice more fun,' he said. 'Everybody is talking more mess. I'm going to talk mess. I love it. That's what great teams are about, knowing you can get chippy, but still be in the locker room and be one team.' Advertisement Sunday's extracurriculars led to a delay long enough that Atlanta had to cancel a short portion at the end of the day's practice meant to give some of the developmental players more work. 'If we would have had something like that and lost control and had to cancel practice, those are things we don't want to do,' Morris said. 'You don't want to waste time or waste reps for other people. We need those people to care for each other enough to realize that.' The Falcons have joint practices against the Tennessee Titans in two weeks and will have to make sure they learn to stay on the right side of their edge before that, Morris said. 'When those things happen in the joint practices with people you don't know, it can become more personal,' he said. 'Those types of behaviors won't be as easily controlled.' (Photo of Jerry Gray, left, and James Pearce Jr.: Dale Zanine / Imagn Images)
New York Times
27 minutes ago
- New York Times
What should Year 1 expectations be for Cam Ward, other 2025 NFL Draft first-round picks?
Imagine a Christmas morning when you've just opened the greatest gift of your entire life — right before a guy in a business suit slides down the chimney and tells you that not only do you have to wait four months to use it, but also no one's actually sure if it'll work. Welcome to the NFL. The non-padded, honeymoon phase for most of the league's rookies is over, and now the exciting/terrifying stretch in which teams start to see whether they've actually drafted properly is underway. Here's a look at rookie-year expectations for each of the 2025 first-round NFL Draft picks: My biggest concern for Ward throughout the draft process was him being asked to carry a bad team immediately. However, the rebuilding Titans have given him some help. Kevin Zeitler and Dan Moore were big additions, as was Tyler Lockett. Even if Lockett can't quite give at age 32 what he had at 25, his presence will be a big deal. Advertisement Ward has to play faster in the pocket and continue to work on ball placement. He's going to struggle, especially early, but if the Titans ride with him through thick and thin, expect him to be noticeably better by January. It's difficult to set a baseline rookie expectation for Hunter — we've really never seen anything like him. The Jaguars have designed a camp plan that will work him on both sides of the football, including at corner and receiver in some of the same practices. It might take Hunter more time to make an impact defensively, but expect him to be a playmaker pretty quickly on offense when he's given a chance. Athletically, he's been ready for at least two years. Hunted down ❌@Dream_Finders | #DUUUVAL — Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) July 27, 2025 It's important to remember that Carter was a stack linebacker his first two years of college and only fully transitioned to the role he'll play for the Giants ahead of the 2024 season. That said, Carter has shown terrific development across the board as a pass rusher. I don't expect a dominant year right away, but I do think Carter will meet or pass the average rookie output we've seen from the last five edge defenders taken in the top five (Will McDonald IV, Travon Walker, Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Chase Young) — about 50 pressures and seven sacks. The cleanest O-line prospect in the '25 draft, Campbell is one of the rare offensive linemen who was probably ready for the NFL on some level as a true sophomore. He played with an advanced understanding of hands and feet in pass protection at LSU and was one of the toughest players in the class. He's likely going to be an instant starter. Advertisement Graham was a top-five player on my board for a long time, not just because of his ability to consistently explode blocks to collapse a pocket but also because of his football IQ and performances in the biggest moments against the best teams. As a sophomore, Graham was arguably the best player on Michigan's 2024 national title team. If he's in shape, he'll also be an instant starter. Jeanty's one of those guys — he's on the Bijan Robinson/Jahmyr Gibbs dance floor and has the ability to be an immediate difference-maker for an offense. Chip Kelly can, and probably will, have a field day with all the different things Jeanty can do. Expect a productive rookie year from Jeanty, who should be an offensive focal point alongside Brock Bowers very soon. The Jets got to take their time (for a bit) with Olu Fashanu last season. That probably won't be the case this year — and from an athletic standpoint, Membou's ready. He gets to slide into a right tackle job (the only spot he played in college) and should get to line up alongside Alijah Vera-Tucker. Membou might be a bit wobbly early as he adjusts to the way NFL refs call holding, but he's pro-ready. For Bryce Young's sake, I hesitate so I don't jinx anything, but the Panthers are starting to look like a team that supports a young QB rather than forcing him through roadblocks. Adding McMillan to a room with Xavier Legette and Adam Thielen gives Young plenty to work with, while allowing McMillan time to develop route nuance and his work against physical corners. He's talented enough to be the best receiver on this team by the end of the year, even if he won't need to be immediately. Advertisement Not only did I have other tackle prospects higher than Banks on my final board, but also I was in the camp that saw him more as a guard. Banks only played left tackle in college, and New Orleans got great rookie production from Taliese Fuaga at that spot last year. Although Banks has repped everywhere but center so far in New Orleans, the hope is surely for him to ultimately take over for Trevor Penning opposite Fuaga on one side or the other. I'm just going to be a bit nervous here until I see it all come together. A lot of this depends on Loveland's health, though the rookie was healthy enough to be on the field in some capacity when Chicago opened camp. In terms of schematic fit, though, this was one of my favorite picks. Loveland is a taller version of Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta, one of Ben Johnson's favorite weapons in Detroit. If Loveland's healthy, I think he can be an All-Rookie performer. You Love to see it 🤩 — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 26, 2025 During the scouting process, there were days I thought Williams would be a no-doubt future Pro Bowler and others when I thought he was the draft version of a scratch-off lottery ticket. It's so hard to project Williams' instant NFL impact because he was hurt so much in college. If he can stay healthy all preseason and not miss any time, he'll surprise tackles and guards with his blend of power, length and burst. He can't be off the field, though, as much growth is needed. The more I've considered this one, the more I've liked it. Initially, I thought No. 12 was too high for Booker, but he was easily the most physically impressive run blocker this class had outside of Campbell and Membou. And I don't care that he's guard-only. If Booker stays in good shape weight-wise, he can be a dominant interior presence. He can also help change an offensive culture. Advertisement I didn't love this pick in April, and I'm still nervous about it. There's no doubt Grant is a fantastic athlete at 6 feet 4 and 330 pounds, but he also has had issues staying in shape year-round, played in a heavy rotation in college next to the best DT in the country (Graham) and wound up out of position too much against the run. If his flashes become the norm, Grant will be a star. However, we've only seen flashes to date. Everyone loved this pick. Warren is a great fit within the Colts offense, fills a huge need and arrives at a critical time in Anthony Richardson's development. His production as a rookie will depend on Indianapolis' QB situation, but his impact on the run game could be immediate and long-lasting. Part of the intrigue with Walker entering the draft was his potential to add versatility in the front seven. He has mainly worked with the outside linebackers in Atlanta so far, but he offers some of the traits that make Carter and Micah Parsons special (albeit in a slightly smaller package). Coverage could be an adventure, but Walker's fearlessness/rush instincts in the box should earn him a starting spot quickly. Physically, Nolen was arguably the most impressive defensive lineman in this class. On the field, he's been inconsistent. Nolen's first step and ability to create havoc immediately are going to translate, but he'll struggle against the run if he doesn't play with more discipline. Nolen's rush-move set is also limited — he might be a rotational player as a rookie if he can't become more efficient. Nothing about Stewart's first offseason in Cincinnati has been ideal, as he missed all of spring and the first three training camp practices due to a contract dispute. Of all the rookies who couldn't afford missed time like that, Stewart was high on the list. He left Texas A&M as more of a combination of traits and talent than a polished football player. Proceed with caution — it could take a minute for Stewart to settle in. Advertisement Zabel has been working with the starters at left guard since Seattle's offseason program started. He'll have growing pains, but I absolutely expect him to settle in as a plus-starter by the end of his rookie season. Zabel is also smart and tough enough to help C Olu Oluwatimi and OT Charles Cross improve. Egbuka was the most NFL-ready wide receiver in this class, even if McMillan has the higher ceiling. There isn't an offense in football Egbuka wouldn't work in — he reminds me of young Los Angeles Chargers standout Ladd McConkey. Don't judge him only by target and catch totals, though, as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan are still in Tampa Bay. Expect to see a lot more of this, Krewe 👀 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) July 26, 2025 The Broncos have already been impressed with Barron's football IQ as a coverage defender this summer. He was one of the most versatile DBs in college football the last two seasons, so Denver might move him around from time to time. However, if he's left to develop at corner, he has All-Rookie potential on the outside as a savvy playmaker teammates will love. I had Harmon ahead of Grant and Nolen on my final board and believe his potential to play basically anywhere up front will serve Pittsburgh well, early and often. It's hard to project a dominant season right away, but it's also hard to see a healthy Harmon not making an impact at multiple spots up front — especially in the run game. The Chargers signed Najee Harris this offseason, but Hampton eventually (if not immediately) will be the real bell cow in Jim Harbaugh's offense. He is a true three-down player who was closer to Jeanty on more scouting boards than the average fan thought. Don't be surprised to see him as a serious candidate for rookie of the year. Golden is the prospect Packers fans have been waiting for forever. The team's first first-round receiver since 2002 is a perfect match for everything Matt LaFleur and the Packers are about offensively. Green Bay has done such a great job with Jayden Reed, and Golden is a more explosive version. I expect a very productive rookie year here, as Golden should be an offensive weapon who moves all over the field. Advertisement Some of Jackson's appeal during the draft process stemmed from him playing well at tackle for Ohio State down the stretch in 2024, after spending most of his career as a guard. I'm not sure he's ready to be a starting NFL tackle, but Minnesota has been working him at left guard. Either way, Jackson still has technical issues (especially with his hands), so don't panic if he doesn't start immediately. There's no pressure on Dart to start immediately for the Giants. However, New York is still New York, so the second Russell Wilson looks like a 36-year-old, fans are going to make it very difficult for Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen to keep Dart on the bench. If it's even close, though, I'd lean toward playing Dart sooner than later — New York can't afford to guess on his development and skip a potentially great 2026 QB crop. My biggest question about Pearce is still whether you can trust him to be a true three-down player in the NFL. I have little doubt he's going to be great on third-and-long, but can he hold up (at around 240 pounds) on first and second downs? If he can't, trading up for him might go in the books as a head-scratcher. One of the safest prospects in the 2025 class, Starks should make an impact quickly. With respect to Detroit's duo of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, Starks and Kyle Hamilton could give the Ravens the NFL's top safety duo in short order. Williams is already in line for a ton of playing time early this season, as the Lions will be without standout DT Alim McNeill (knee) until October and versatile DT Levi Onwuzurike (knee) all season. I'm not sure how much pass rush Detroit can expect early from Williams, though I do think he's ready to be a huge help against the run and a great fit in Detroit's scheme. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Conerly begin his career as a backup, because he was still more a collection of elite traits than a polished tackle when he left Oregon. He was a polarizing prospect for scouts for that exact reason. Advertisement He's competing at right tackle, though it might take some time for Conerly to get stronger and better with his hand discipline. Hairston suffered a non-contact injury to his right knee during a drill Tuesday, and his status moving forward is unclear. Even before the injury, questions remained about whether the 183-pound Hairston can hold up against physical NFL receivers right away. The Bills' rookie corner is also facing a lawsuit filed earlier this month alleging he committed sexual assault in 2021. Last week, GM Brandon Beane expressed his support for Hairston. 'We have to remember in society that people can make accusations and do things,' Beane said, 'and I have no idea what the agenda is there, but I can tell you every stone we turned over, every door we looked behind, this is a very good young man.' Injury concerns impacted Campbell's draft stock, but his potential is off the charts. Though Campbell has less experience than the other front-seven hybrids in this class, only Carter can claim physical and athletic superiority. The Eagles also don't have to rush Campbell, but he could turn into a serious steal — right away — for Philadelphia. Had he not injured his knee last year, Simmons might have been a top-10 pick. When he's right, his combination of foot speed and functional length makes him a terror to rush against off the edge. Not only is Simmons good enough to start right away, but also he has All-Rookie potential if he's 100 percent. (Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Photos: Candice Ward, James Gilbert, Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
