The Washington Commanders‘ ongoing saga with free agent wide receivers is working out for rookie Jaylin Lane.
Lane is on the verge of making his NFL debut Sunday in Week 1 against the New York Giants and could have a bigger role than the Commanders initially thought for their 2025 fourth-round pick.
The rookie is listed as the Washington’s backup wide receiver behind No. 2 Deebo Samuel. But if Noah Brown, who is questionable with a knee injury he’s been battling all off-season, is unable to play, Lane could be in the mix for more reps, especially with Terry McLaurin still ramping up and veteran Kendrick Bourne refusing to sign despite working out with Washington on Tuesday.
What Did Jaylin Lane Say About Playing For The Commanders?
The fourth-round pick from Virginia Tech had a big preseason by posting three catches for 42 yards, and even though he earned the roster spot, he has not forgotten his gratitude for being with the NFC runner-ups.
“I’m extremely blessed,” Lane told RG.org recently. “It’s definitely a blessing to be here.”
Lane could have jumped up the Commanders depth chart if not for Terry McLaurin’s recently signed three-year, $96 million contract extension. Still, Lane has gained an appreciation for the No. 1 receiver and how he’s helped him.
“Terry, he’s a real good dude,” says Lane. “I’m just trying to be a sponge, man. Every time he speaks, I’m listening and I’m just trying to because one day I’m trying to get to where he’s at, and how well respected he is.
“He just wants to see everybody around him grow and get better. He’s just a good dude in general, well respected around that whole team, whole organization, that everybody loves him.”
What Did Jaylin Lane Say About Jayden Daniels?
Perhaps the most exciting player in football, Commanders’ second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels has given Commanders fans huge expectations after a rookie season for the ages.
Yet, Lane has seen Daniels’ most important characteristics, especially his leadership qualities.
“Jayden, he is an elite quarterback — not even just what he does on the field, but just his habits,” Lane said. “He’s always the first one in the facility. He’s always putting in extra. I think what’s big just to me that I noticed it, he’d give guys a chance to show what they got, whether it be just one-on-one balls, stuff like that. He’s going to throw it up to you and see if you can make a play or not.”
Lane recalled when he Daniels finally made him feel like he belonged during a practice during training camp.
“I feel like there was one play in camp, it was a two-minute situation,” Lane said. “He threw it up to me. I caught him back in the end zone. He came up to me, ‘I’m going to keep coming to you.’ That was when I was like, ‘Yeah, we in it.’”
Yet, when pressed how he would celebrate his first real NFL touchdown — either Week 1 or further down the road — Lane kept things a secret, for now.
“It’s crazy, my wife has been getting on me for practicing what I’m going to do,” Lane said while laughing. “So you’ll just have to wait and see.”
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