All summer in D.C., the talk has been about what the Commanders’ wide receiver room will look like in Week 1.
Terry McLaurin has been activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but was once again absent for Washington’s 31-17 preseason Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
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The former San Fransico 49er Deebo Samuel had yet to see a target in the preseason, but picked up a single carry for 19 yards against the Bengals, which sparked a four-play 74-yard touchdown drive, which caused Washington to sit Jayden Daniels and a few more projected starters for the remainder of the game.
With McLaurin still not active, Samuel is projected to be the Commanders’ WR1 this year after spending his first six pro seasons with the 49ers. One of the league’s most versatile offensive players, Samuel has 50-plus catches and 37-plus carries in each of the past four seasons.
Yet another bright spot on Monday night was the rookie receiver Jaylin Lane. The former Virginia Tech Hokie tallied three catches for 42 yards on seven targets, averaging a first down per completion.
The 5-foot-10, 196-pound fourth-round pick tallied eight receiving touchdowns in his two years in Blacksburg, Va, where he averaged 12.7 yards per catch. He also served as the Hokies‘ punt returner his senior year, where he picked up 10.2 yards per return.
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If McLaurin continues to hold out, and Samuel is WR1 for Week 1, there is a chance Washington will see a bit more of Lane earlier in the season than expected when he was drafted back in April.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders rookie WR Jaylin Lane a bright spot in preseason loss