The second practice of Washington Commanders' mandatory minicamp came with concern attached. It was another strong, physical session, but wide receiver Noah Brown being carted off wasn't ideal.
After securing a catch, Brown fell to the floor. He was noticeably in pain and threw his helmet, hobbling off the field. Upon further examination on the sideline, he was carted into the facility and let out a scream of either pain or frustration along the way.
Everyone associated with the Commanders is praying for good news. However, with Michael Gallup also nursing a hamstring complication, the wideout dynamic could change pretty quickly depending on what comes next.
An eyewitness report on what exactly happened with Noah Brown from a man on the scene in the form of @BenStandig. pic.twitter.com/Sk3LdDsDiO
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) June 12, 2025
Dan Quinn and his accomplished coaching staff will roll with the punches. For those fit and on the field, this remains a chance to impress and, in some cases, force their way into the team's plans in 2025.
Some are coming to the fore positively. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who turned heads with superstar swagger on Day 2 of the team's mandatory minicamp.
Commanders who turned heads with superstar swagger on Day 2 of minicamp
Kain Medrano - Commanders LB
The Washington Commanders caused a stir by selecting linebacker Kain Medrano over any remaining edge rusher at No. 205 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Fans felt there was still meat on the bone to solve a major need. Adam Peters had a different idea, and the second-level presence came highly recommended.
UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster raved about Medrano's work ethic and potential. Ken Norton Jr., the Commanders' linebackers coach, spent time on the Bruins and gave this move his seal of approval. There was also his exceptional testing at the NFL Scouting Combine, which represents some untapped promise that Washington is eager to nurture.
Medrano is tapping into every possible resource in pursuit of silencing his doubters. Learning from established pros like Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu makes this a fantastic landing spot. Familiarity with Norton is also serving him well, and the rookie seems to be picking things up quicker than expected, based on reports.
There was a lot to like about Medrano's impact on Day 2 of Washington's mandatory minicamp, according to those in attendance. The first-year pro was explosive and reacted well to what was going on in front of him. He even managed to force a fumble from All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. during the team portion of practice, which is a major early feather in his cap.
Much more is needed to carve out an immediate role on the defensive rotation. But Medrano might not be the wasted pick some in the media proclaimed if his strong transition is any indication.