The Washington Commanders activated star wide receiver Terry McLaurin off the team's active/physically unable to perform list on Saturday, paving the way for the veteran to practice for the first time since training camp began.
Saturday's roster move does not, however, indicate any progress has been made toward ending a contract dispute that has clouded Washington's offseason, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters on Saturday that McLaurin coming off the PUP list is part of their return-to-play program. Quinn did not have any updates on contract talks.
"We've got a real process in our return-to-play that we believe in," Quinn said, via The Athletic. "We know it works. So we'll hit all those steps."
McLaurin, 29, currently is in the final season of a three-year deal with $15.5 million in base salary due this year -- a figure that is well below the current market for a top-end wideout.
The contract dispute has led to a contentious summer between McLaurin and a Commanders team looking to build off last season's surprising run to the NFC Championship Game.
McLaurin skipped Washington's organized team activities and mandatory minicamp earlier this offseason and his absence continued into the start of camp when he was a late arrival and subsequently placed on the PUP list due to an ankle issue.
The bad feelings culminated in a trade request from McLaurin on July 31, but there has been no indication that Washington is entertaining any deal.
Saturday's news, though, seems to be a small step in a path toward resolution, especially considering it comes fewer than 24 hours after offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury discussed the importance of getting McLaurin back on the field as the regular season draws near.
