Which Commanders players were absent for start of OTAs?

The Washington Commanders reported to team headquarters in Ashburn for organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday. The team will hold seven practices over the next two weeks, with the final session landing on June 8 before it breaks for a week and mandatory minicamp gets underway from June 14-16.

Of course, OTAs aren’t mandatory. While some veterans around the NFL might feel compelled to skip out on practicing in shorts and a helmet, team leaders show their faces as a means to send a message to the locker room.

In certain circumstances, some players simply can’t report in time and others don’t report in search of a new contract. In some scenarios, players on the cusp of getting traded abstain from showing up to expedite their departures.

So, which Commanders players weren’t present for the start of OTAs? The big takeaway is Terry McLaurin, who reportedly hasn’t participated in anything team-related since the draft as he waits to sign a new contract.

These Commanders players didn’t report for the start of OTAs.

Our take? Don’t overreact. McLaurin was present for the first phase of offseason workouts, seemingly conveying his commitment to the team. Additionally, Ron Rivera threw cold water on the situation after Tuesday’s practice, expressing confidence while saying “it’s only a matter of time” until it’s settled.

McLaurin sending a message is nothing new. He still follows the team on social media and hasn’t shown any signs of extending his holdout or demanding a trade, which is all that matters. Extension talks are likely to ramp up over the next several weeks. Let cooler heads prevail. The star WR has never been one to cause a raucous.

In other news, Chase Young wasn’t present on Tuesday. Don’t worry, this isn’t a repeat of last offseason when Young skipped OTAs to fulfill endorsement obligations. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year is still rehabbing his knee in Colorado and will be back with the team in a few weeks, per Rivera.

More importantly, Young, like McLaurin, was present for the first phase of offseason workouts, where he was seen pushing a weighted sled, further showcasing his motivation to move past his ACL injury and get back on the field.

The only other reported absences were Montez Sweat and Cam Sims, both of whom were excused for personal reasons. While it’s unclear when Sims will join the team, Rivera told the media Sweat is expected back for Wednesday’s practice.

It’ll be great to see Sweat back with the team after he tragically lost his brother, Anthony, who was shot and killed before Washington’s Week 17 home game vs the Eagles. Sweat didn’t play in that game or the regular-season finale against the Giants as he mourned the loss of his brother with his family.

That brings us to the end of the list. While three of the Commanders’ four absences are high-profile players, the only notable one to monitor is McLaurin for obvious reasons. Besides that, the team was at full-strength on Tuesday.