ASHBURN, Va. (7News) — The Washington Commanders kicked off training camp from team headquarters in Ashburn on Wednesday. 88 players took the field, but it was the player who wasn’t in attendance who continued to be the topic of conversation.

“It’s just business in the NFL,” quarterback Jayden Daniels said. “We know Terry’s working; we don’t really have to worry about him doing any of that, but at the end of the day, he is still one of our brothers.”

On Wednesday, the Commanders moved wide receiver Terry McLaurin to the Reserve/Did Not Report List. McLaurin, who is officially holding out as he and the team navigate ongoing contract extension discussions, did not report to camp on Tuesday, when players were required to be present.

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Daniels, who has a season with McLaurin under his belt, said the rapport they have with one another will allow them to pick up seamlessly once McLaurin joins the team at camp.

“It helps a lot. If this was last year, it would probably be different because we didn’t know each other,” Daniels added.

Aside from McLaurin’s absence, guard Sam Cosmi was placed on the PUP-List as he continues to recover from a season-ending ACL tear he sustained during the playoffs.

“If you wait until the season, there’s other guidelines, and you’re four weeks in and that, so he’s hitting all the markers,” said Quinn when asked if Cosmi could be available by Week One. “I think we’ll have a better answer on that as we get closer to the end of the preseason, but I’m very encouraged with the work he’s put in.”

For those in attendance, competition and communication have been emphasized from the top down. Now in the second year of Quinn’s scheme, players feel they are picking up right where they left off last season.

“I think most guys pretty much know the system,” safety Quan Martin said. “Just continuing to communicate, continuing to get better, and continuing to find ways to make plays.”

“It doesn’t feel like you’re a football team; it’s more like a brotherhood,” second-year tackle Brandon Coleman said. “Everybody comes in knowing that we have to prove something. That doesn’t change; that mindset doesn’t change from last year, being able to compete every day and just have fun with it.”

For rookies like wide receiver Jaylin Lane, it’s taking a moment to realize the hard work starts now while balancing the reality that they have achieved a childhood dream.

“Really, the past few months I’ve been doing that every day,” Lane said. “Just thanking God for the opportunity that I have. It’s a blessing to be here, and I just give thanks; take a moment every day.”