Commanders elevate WR Jamison Crowder from practice squad

Crowder will likely return punts for the Commanders in Week 1.

The Washington Commanders elevated wide receiver Jamison Crowder from the practice ahead of Sunday’s Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Washington signed Crowder to the practice squad this week. When the Commanders placed wide receiver Dax Milne on the reserve/injured list Friday, it became apparent that Washington would elevate Crowder to the active roster to handle punt-return duties.

Crowder, a fourth-round pick from Duke in 2015, spent four seasons with Washington and caught 221 passes for 2,628 and 14 touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a touchdown during his time in Washington.

After leaving Washington, he spent three years with the New York Jets and last season with the Buffalo Bills. He spent this offseason with the New York Giants.

For his career, Crowder has 415 receptions, 4,667 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns.

The Commanders kept seven wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster, and Milne was slated to return punts for the second consecutive season. Crowder will likely handle those duties for the Commanders in Week 1.