Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is back. On Monday, two weeks before the season opener against the New York Giants, McLaurin and the Commanders agreed to a new three-year extension. McLaurin returned to the practice field on Thursday, and all was well again.

Coaches, teammates, and GM Adam Peters all expressed excitement to see McLaurin back on the field. Once back on the field, McLaurin picked right back up where he left off. And since he missed OTAs, the minicamp in June and training camp, he hadn’t had the chance to practice alongside Washington’s rookie class.

That meant it was the first time McLaurin took the field with rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane. The fourth-round pick from Virginia Tech has turned heads this summer and is poised for a significant role as a rookie. McLaurin was seen working with Lane during Thursday’s practice.

Terry McLaurin working with rookie Jaylin Lane during practice. pic.twitter.com/HUkyP2wOL7

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This isn’t uncommon. McLaurin has always been willing to help younger players, including those at his position. When he spoke to the media on Wednesday, he specifically mentioned Lane.

“I’ve been really impressed with the other receivers in our room as well,” McLaurin said. “Jaylin Lane, I think, is a guy who’s really going to have a chance to help us, not just with the return game, his dynamic ability, but some people may think he’s just in the slot. And to be honest, I saw his film, he has a lot of plays at the slot, but I’ve watched not only preseason, I’ve watched practice, and he can play on the outside with his speed, his ability to get vertical. He’s actually more physical at the top than people probably give him credit for, which is a key component of winning on the outside, receiver being as, as outside receiver winning physically because you’re going to get a lot more press and so his ability just to continue to be hungry and be a sponge and ask all the questions, I’m going to continue to try to help him as much as I can.”

This is another reason why head coach Dan Quinn and the rest of Washington’s staff wanted McLaurin. These are traits that cannot be taught. McLaurin goes out of his way to help younger players adjust to the NFL. Sometimes, it’s just the little things. It’s clear from how he spoke about Lane that he sees big things for him.

There are misconceptions that Lane is only a slot receiver. Why? Because his film at Virginia Tech didn’t show him playing outside and winning deep. That wasn’t his fault. VT’s offensive structure was a mess during Lane’s two years in Blacksburg. That probably helped the Commanders land him in the fourth round.

The other positive news this week was that veteran wide receiver Noah Brown also returned to practice. He’s expected to be Washington’s No. 3 receiver, opposite McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. For now, Lane appears to be the No. 4 guy, with an opportunity to move up this season.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders WR Terry McLaurin sees big things for Jaylin Lane