Tag: Dax Milne

Washington inactive players vs. Seahawks

Washington’s inactive list does not include Curtis Samuel. Some good news for the WFT.

The Washington Football Team announced their Week 12 inactive list for the Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks from FedEx Field, and it contained some good news.

First, the inactives: Wide receivers Dax Milne and Antonio Gandy-Golden, cornerback Corn Elder, center Tyler Larsen, defensive end Bunmi Rotimi and tight end Ricky Seals-Jones.

A notable name missing from the inactive list is wide receiver Curtis Samuel. Samuel, who has missed all but two games this season with a groin injury, will play vs. Seattle, although he will be on a “pitch count” per head coach Ron Rivera.

With Samuel expected to play, quarterback Taylor Heinicke will finally have his full complement of weapons. Tight end Logan Thomas will also play, after being activated from injured reserve earlier on Monday.

Washington has won two consecutive games and could move into the No. 7 — and final — playoff spot in the NFC with a win over the Seahawks. Seattle enters Monday night’s game on a two-game losing streak.

WATCH: Washington receiver Dax Milne make terrific catch along the sideline

There hasn’t been a lot to cheer for in the first half of the Washington Football Team’s final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.

There hasn’t been a lot to cheer for in the first half of the Washington Football Team’s final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens jumped out to a 16-0 lead, with Washington barely getting anything going on offense.

However, late in the second quarter, Washington finally moved past midfield when quarterback Kyle Allen found rookie wide receiver Dax Milne for a 26-yard connection along the sideline.

It was an impressive throw and catch.

Unfortunately for Washington, the offense sputtered again shortly thereafter, and the team brought on kicker Dustin Hopkins for a 55-yard field goal attempt.

He missed, and the Ravens got the ball in good field position.

In the first half, Milne leads Washington with two receptions for 33 yards. Antonio Gandy-Golden has been impressive, too, catching three passes for 27 yards.

That’s about it for Washington’s offense in the first half.

 

Last-minute news and notes before Washington’s preseason finale

Some last-minute news and notes before Washington’s preseason finale against the Ravens.

The Washington Football Team will be without their top two quarterbacks against the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason finale.  Head coach Ron Rivera will not play Ryan Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke, instead going with Kyle Allen and Steven Montez.

Apparently, Washington will be without most of its starters.

Here are all of Washington’s starters, per Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic.

One item of note is Peyton Barber starting at running back. You’d think this would be a time for the coaching staff to evaluate rookie Jaret Patterson further.

Is this the latest sign that Patterson’s spot is secure?

Washington is going with Antonio Gandy-Golden, Dax Milne and DeAndre Carter at wide receiver. These three are all fighting for the final one — or two — spots on the roster at receiver.

Another interesting spot is at defensive end. William Bradley-King and Daniel Wise will get the first crack at impressing the coaching staff. Shaka Toney should also see plenty of time, too.

Washington and Baltimore kick off at 6 p.m. EDT.

5 takeaways from day 18 of Washington training camp

Washington is now four days away from its preseason finale against the Ravens. Here are five takeaways from Tuesday’s practice.

Washington was back on the field Tuesday for day 18 of training camp. With the preseason finale just days away, head coach Ron Rivera is treating the entire week as a normal game week in the regular season.

Washington faces the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, who enter the game on a 19-game preseason winning streak.

While Rivera respects the Ravens, he didn’t appear too impressed with their preseason winning streak.

The coaches are in the middle of preparing for Washington’s Week 1 opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, while also working on getting multiple players plenty of action in this weekend’s game against the Ravens.

Here are five takeaways from Tuesday’s practice.

 

Ron Rivera praises rookie wide receiver Dax Milne

Rookie wide receiver Dax Milne is quietly having a strong training camp. Could he force his way onto Washington’s 53-man roster?

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The Washington Football Team will have some tough decisions to make at wide receiver in two weeks when NFL teams trim their rosters to 53 players. Washington already made one move, releasing former sixth-round pick Kelvin Harmon on Sunday.

Washington has several wide receiver spots locked in. Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Adam Humphries, Dyami Brown, and, most likely, Cam Sims are on the 53-man roster.

That means there are only one, possibly two, spots remaining. Whoever gets that final spot — or spots — will also need to make an impact on special teams.

Steven Sims Jr. and DeAndre Carter have taken turns impressing coaches both at receiver and punt returner for much of camp. Carter did an outstanding job returning punts in the preseason opener last week.

But one name is often left out in the race at wide receiver, and that is rookie seventh-rounder Dax Milne.

Milne has quietly had a strong training camp and was impressive in the preseason opener. He caught two passes for 16 yards and also had a solid punt return.

On Tuesday, head coach Ron Rivera praised Milne, per Zach Selby of washingtonfootball.com.

“He has progressed very well. He really has,” Rivera said. “You see his natural route running ability showing in certain situations, circumstances.”

Often during camp, Milne has been matched up with a fellow rookie, cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. St-Juste has been the talk of camp, but Milne more than held his own against St-Juste, even winning some one-on-one battles.

Rivera noted he was a lot bigger and stronger than he initially thought.

“He is a good route runner with good size. To me, that is a pleasant surprise,” Rivera said. “For a guy that plays the slot, you usually have a smaller guy. This guy had a little more size, and he looked good out there on the football field.”

Rivera also praised Milne after Thursday’s preseason opener at New England.

Milne needs to finish the preseason on a strong note. He still has a long battle in front of him, but it’s clear he has the attention of the most important decision-maker in Washington’s organization.

 

 

 

WATCH: Rookie receiver Dax Milne makes big-time catch

Watch Dax Milne make an impressive catch during Friday’s practice at FedEx Field.

One of the biggest questions facing Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera is how many wide receivers will he carry on the season-opening 53-man roster?

Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are locks. Cam Sims and Adam Humphries are close to certainties. That leaves one like spot open for Washington, and that player will most likely double as the team’s punt returner.

Steven Sims Jr. and DeAndre Carter have been locked in a tight battle for a spot on Washington’s roster throughout the first week of training camp. Both players have been outstanding in camp thus far, meaning Rivera and his staff are going to have to make some tough decisions.

One player who is not receiving much attention is rookie seventh-round pick, Dax Milne. Milne did his best to get on the coaches’ radar in Washington’s open practice on Friday at FedEx Field in front of 20,000 fans.

The rookie beat coverage and hauled in a pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick down near the goal line in drills. It was impressive.

Of course, this doesn’t help Milne make the team. It’s one play — in one-on-one drills. However, it gave WFT fans something to cheer for and showed them that Milne has some skills.

Washington will have some tough decisions to make at wide receiver

The competition at wide receiver has been outstanding in training camp so far. Washington will be forced to make some tough choices over the next month.

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One year ago, you could argue that wide receiver was the weakest position on the Washington Football Team. Second-year pro Terry McLaurin was special — but there was little else.

Boy, how things change.

Washington signed Curtis Samuel in free agency to serve as the team’s No. 2 wideout. Samuel was coming off a career year and can line up all over the place on offense. The WFT also added reliable but injury-prone veteran Adam Humphries.

Then, in the NFL draft, Washington was fortunate when North Carolina wide receiver Dyami Brown fell to the third round. Suddenly, the Football Team had some depth at wide receiver.

Washington would also return some promising younger players such as Cam Sims, Steven Sims Jr., Kelvin Harmon, Isaiah Wright and Antonio Gandy-Golden. There was also seventh-round pick Dax Milne.

One week into training camp, it’s clear which players are making the 53-man roster. McLaurin, Samuel, Brown, Cam Sims and Humphries all feel like locks to make the roster. Humphries could be a surprise cut, but he has a nice rapport with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The biggest question is, how many receivers will head coach Ron Rivera keep?

Most NFL teams keep five or six receivers on the roster. That number could vary depending on which players contribute on special teams.

Washington needs a punt returner. Of those players in camp, Sims Jr., DeAndre Carter, Wright, Milne and Humphries could all get looks at punt returner. Sims has done it before but hasn’t been overly successful.

Carter is the player to watch. The 28-year-old is on his eighth NFL team and can return punts. He’s also had a strong camp as a receiver. That versatility could help him land on Washington’s 53-man roster.

Sims Jr. entered camp squarely on the roster bubble after struggling at times last season. He has looked good this summer.

Sims Jr. has talent. He looked like a future keeper in 2019.

Next is Gandy-Golden. A fourth-round pick last season, Gandy-Golden failed to make an impression before his injury last season. The 6-foot-4 Gandy-Golden is impressive and is another receiver standing out this summer.

A player who is quietly off the radar is Harmon. As a rookie in 2019, Harmon caught 30 passes and looked to be a part of the future as a reliable possession receiver. The previous coaching staff really liked him. Unfortunately for Harmon, he was injured before training camp began last summer and was lost for the season.

He’s back — and catching everything.

Wright caught 27 passes as a rookie undrafted free agent in 2021. He can also return punts.

Milne, the rookie from BYU, has also impressed coaches in camp. He seems like a longshot, more like someone who could begin his career on the practice squad.

What has helped these receivers so far in camp is the absence of Samuel. Nursing a groin injury and also on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Samuel has yet to practice. It has opened the door for others, and they have taken advantage.

Regardless of what happens between now and the end of the month, Washington has some tough decisions to make at wide receiver. The team is going to cut multiple good players who will latch on somewhere else. It’s likely the preseason could make or break some of these young receivers.

Being in a position to cut good players is a problem Washington is glad to have.

Washington selects BYU wide receiver Dax Milne with final draft choice

The Washington Football Team selected BYU wide receiver Dax Milne with its final pick of the 2021 NFL draft, No. 258 overall.

The Washington Football Team selected BYU wide receiver Dax Milne with its final pick of the 2021 NFL draft, No. 258 overall.

A former walk-on, Milne formed a potent combination with No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson in 2021. Milne caught 70 passes for 1,188 yards and eight touchdowns this past season.

Milne faces an uphill battle to make Washington’s roster. But he’s probably heard that before. Washington added free agents Curtis Samuel and Adam Humphries in March and drafted Dyami Brown of North Carolina in the third round.

Milne has solid size and is a good athlete. He runs good routes and isn’t afraid to get involved as a blocker in the running game. However, the NFL is a different animal.

Milne is another perfect example of a strong culture fit. He will bring competition to training camp and fight for a spot on the practice squad. Expect Milne to endear himself to the coaching staff.

2021 NFL draft: Chargers to meet virtually with BYU WR Dax Milne

The Los Angeles Chargers continue to meet with wide receivers ahead of the NFL draft.

The Chargers could be looking to this year’s draft to add another receiver.

According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, Los Angeles is set to meet virtually with former BYU WR Dax Milne.

Milne, one of top quarterback prospect Zach Wilson’s favorite targets, posted 70 catches for 1,188 yards and eight touchdowns in 2020.

Milne’s third and final season marked his best. The two seasons prior to that, combined, he only amassed 31 catches for 354 yards and three scores.

At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Milne lacks the ideal breakaway speed, but he is a detailed route runner and proven blocker who wins with all-out effort plays down the field. He also has kick and punt return experience.

Milne currently projects as a fifth- sixth-round selection.

Report: Jags among several teams to meet virtually with BYU WR Dax Milne

The Jags have met virtually with Zach Wilson’s favorite target, who could be a late round option in April’s draft.

One of the positions many would agree is a strength of the 2021 NFL Draft is receiver, which is an area the Jacksonville Jaguars could use some help at. While they have D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Collin Johnson all set to return this season, they also have three players set to be free agents in Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, and Chris Conley.

With that being the case, it wouldn’t be surprising to see their new front office utilize the draft for some mid to late-round prospects at the position, even if they acquire some help at the position in free agency. One target to keep in mind in a scenario where they add a late-round receiver is Brigham Young University’s Dax Milne, who the team has met with this offseason, per Justin Melo of the Draft Network.

Milne is a player who may be familiar to many due to being Zach Wilson’s favorite target in 2020. His 70 catches for 1,188 yards led the Cougars, while his eight touchdowns were the second-highest total for them. When looking at his strengths, draft analysts have raved about his hands and ability to catch in traffic, both of which are traits that could help him tremendously on the NFL level.

If the Jags wanted a developmental receiver, Milne is an enticing pick who could go undrafted, though some view him as a sleeper sixth or seventh-round pick. Even if that’s the case, the team has two seventh-round selections (No. 193 and No. 214) in April’s draft that could be used on the productive late-rounder who is looking to join his quarterback as an NFL player.