Tag: James Washington

Former Steelers WR James Washington reunites with Ike Hilliard in Atlanta

Former Steelers WR James Washington has agreed to terms with the Falcons.

During all the talk of free agents who could come to the Pittsburgh Steelers, James Washington‘s name never came up.

Now he’s on his way to Atlanta, with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reporting that Washington agreed to terms with the Falcons.

Washington will reunite with his former Steelers receivers coach Ike Hilliard, who is now in the same position with the Falcons.

Washington logged 1,629 yards and 11 touchdowns on 114 catches with the Steelers from 2018 to 2021.

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Falcons expected to sign veteran wide receiver, per report

The Atlanta Falcons are signing veteran wide receiver James Washington, per report

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to sign veteran wide receiver James Washington to their 90-man training camp roster, according to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Washington, 28, spent his first four NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022.

The former second-round pick has 114 career catches for 1,629 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Washington’s best season came in 2019 when he caught 44 balls for 735 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Pittsburgh.

The Falcons have Monday off following their first week of training camp. Washington should add some depth to the team’s revamped wide receiver group. Darnell Mooney is expected to serve as Atlanta’s No. 2 wideout with Rondale Moore starting in the slot.

Washington gives the team a quality fifth wide receiver option if he makes the team’s 53-man roster. Check out the Falcons updated 90-man training camp roster HERE!

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Colts release WR James Washington

The Colts released WR James Washington.

The Indianapolis Colts released wide receiver James Washington on Monday ahead of the roster cut deadline, first reported by Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star.

Washington joined the Colts extremely late in the process, being signed the day before the second preseason game. Even so, he flashed some talent by recording a 42-yard reception in that second preseason game but failed to make much of an impact in the finale.

Washington would be intriguing as a fifth or sixth wide receiver during the regular season so we shouldn’t shut the door on a return just yet. We’ll see how the roster looks once everything gets sorted out following Tuesday’s deadline.

The Colts have until Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET to finalize their initial 53-man roster. You can stay up to date with the latest moves via our tracker.

Stock report from Colts’ preseason win over Bears

Here’s the stock report from the Colts’ preseason win over the Bears.

The Indianapolis Colts grabbed their first win of the preseason Saturday night in a 24-17 victory over the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Despite the starters getting rest after the joint training camp practices, there were still plenty of players grinding for their spots on the roster with cut-down day quickly approaching.

When taking stock of a player’s performance, it’s best to be fluid. A player’s stock will fall and rise throughout the preseason so none of this is set in stone. But it is important to take note of the narratives and storylines taking place as the regular season quickly approaches.

A player’s stock can be impacted by their performance or the type of snaps they receive during the preseason.

Here’s the stock report from the Colts’ preseason win over the Bears:

Colts PFF grades: Best, worst performers in preseason win vs Bears

Here are the best and worst PFF grades from the Colts’ preseason win over the Bears.

The Indianapolis Colts secured their first win of the preseason during their lone home matchup in a 24-17 victory over the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night.

With two preseason games under their belts, the Colts are set to close out the preseason on a short week with a visit to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Here are some of the highest and lowest PPF grades for the Colts in Week 2 of the preseason, as well as a few other notable grades thrown in.

Colts’ snap count analysis from preseason win over Bears

Taking a look at the snap counts from the Colts’ preseason win over the Bears.

The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears, 24-17, on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium for their first preseason win.

The majority of starters were rested after some physical joint training camp practices with the Bears earlier in the week so we got a good look at the depth in all three phases of the game.

Here’s a look at the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams:

Total plays

Offense: 67
Defense: 66
Special Teams: 23

Offensive tackle Dan Skipper was the only player to see 100% of the snaps on either side of the ball while fellow offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell was right behind him at 96%. In the backfield, Deon Jackson got the start, and Evan Hull worked in as well.

Rookie tight end Will Mallory made his preseason debut, playing just one fewer snap than the leader among tight ends, Nick Eubanks. Meanwhile, guard Emil Ekiyor didn’t see a single snap on offense.

Safety Nick Cross got the start and played well into the third quarter on defense. We still haven’t seen Julian Blackmon make his preseason debut.

Despite joining the team the day prior, wide receiver James Washington played 20 snaps on offense. His lone 43-yard reception led the entire team in receiving yards.

Colts sign WR James Washington

The Colts signed WR James Washington and placed DE Genard Avery on IR.

The Indianapolis Colts signed free-agent WR James Washington and placed defensive end Genard Avery on the injured reserve list, the team announced Friday.

A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington spent the first four years of his career in the Steel City. In those four seasons, he appeared in 60 games (25 starts), recording 114 receptions for 1,629 yards and 11 touchdowns.

His best season with the Steelers came in 2019 when he recorded 44 receptions for 735 yards and three touchdowns.

Washington signed with the Dallas Cowboys but suffered an injury before the season that limited him to just two games in 2022.

Washington joins the roster after Ashton Dulin suffered a season-ending torn ACL during the joint training camp practices with the Chicago Bears.

On the same night, Avery suffered an LCL and meniscus injury that requires season-ending surgery.

Additionally, wide receiver Malik Turner was waived/injured and will revert to the team’s injured reserve list if he clears waivers.

Saints release veteran wide receiver James Washington

The New Orleans Saints released veteran wide receiver James Washington to open a roster spot for running back Darrel Williams:

This is a tough break for James Washington: the New Orleans Saints released the veteran wide receiver on Tuesday, per the daily NFL transactions wire. Washington had fallen behind players like Keith Kirkwood and A.T. Perry at training camp, and it didn’t help his case that both receivers caught touchdown passes in the first preseason game while a miscommunication with rookie quarterback Jake Haener led to an interception when the ball was thrown Washington’s way.

Washington, 27, should land on a roster somewhere around the league. After starting his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he played well with the Dallas Cowboys last summer until suffering an injury that derailed his season. Now healthy, he’ll be looking to catch on with another team and make his case for a roster spot in the remaining two weeks of preseason games.

The Saints had to release someone in a corresponding move to the signing of running back Darrel Williams, which was also confirmed on Tuesday’s update to the NFL transactions wire. His departure leaves the following players competing for five or six roster spots at wide receiver:

  • No. 13 Michael Thomas
  • No. 12 Chris Olave
  • No. 22 Rashid Shaheed
  • No. 10 Tre’Quan Smith
  • No. 18 Keith Kirkwood
  • No. 17 A.T. Perry
  • No. 11 Bryan Edwards
  • No. 84 Lynn Bowden
  • No. 88 Shaquan Davis
  • No. 15 Kawaan Baker
  • No. 85 Jontre Kirklin

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Saints’ aggressive offseason could lead to an exciting offense in 2023

The Saints’ aggressive offseason could lead to an exciting offense in 2023. Recapping their moves to reload after a down year, via @southexclusives:

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Does it feel weird to say the New Orleans Saints offense could be exciting in 2023? It’s been a while since that could be said, so I understand. The last year of the Drew Brees era was efficient but not exactly exciting. Though, the post-Brees years have many longing for efficiency. The past two seasons have been absolutely dismal for the offense. The team has taken an aggressive approach this offseason to best ensure that won’t be the case again this year.

While there were many factors at play, the lack of playmakers at wide receiver had a lot to do with it. The problem with the “Michael Thomas and a bunch of guys” approach was exposed in 2021 when Thomas missed the season with an ankle injury. The Saints drafted Chris Olave in the 2022 draft to correct that problem and give Thomas a running mate. Thomas once again missed the majority of the season with injury. This offseason the team brought in Bryan Edwards, who feels like a Thomas insurance policy. 

The team then added A.T. Perry in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. Many believe he’s a huge steal at that point. Shaquan Davis and Malik Flowers were added in the undrafted free agent class. The room felt full at that point, but the team wasn’t finished. Earlier this week, James Washington was signed. Wide receiver has now transformed into one of the deepest position groups on the team.

Additions weren’t limited to the receiving corps. Running back was another position that was thin behind lead back Alvin Kamara. Jamaal Williams was signed away from the Detroit Lions in free agency. The confident Kendre Miller was then picked in the third round. Williams and Miller may have to be the one-two punch in the backfield if Kamara is suspended for a portion of the season. All three of them together could be dangerous.

The Saints also identified Derek Carr as their quarterback for the next couple of years. Jameis Winston has essentially had to prove it every year he arrived as a starter. The contract given to Carr was a sign of trust, and they’ve made supporting him a priority by signing his former teammates like Edwards and tight end Foster Moreau, who should help the offense as a blocker and receiver.

This is a brand-new offense with a new quarterback and newfound depth at playmaking positions. It’s only May, but it’s okay to be excited. The Saints were aggressive this offseason to build an offense that has the potential to be efficient, high-powered, and create excitement amongst the fans.

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Saints signing free agent WR James Washington to one-year deal

The New Orleans Saints are signing free agent wide receiver James Washington to a one-year deal, adding more depth to their receiving corps:

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The New Orleans Saints are signing free agent wide receiver James Washington to a one-year deal, adding more depth to their receiving corps, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and confirmed by NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill.

A former second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State, Washington was a productive part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pass-catching party from 2019 to 2021 before he signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Dallas Cowboys, only to miss most of the year with a training camp foot injury. He only appeared in two games with Dallas before he was waived, closing out the 2022 season on the New York Giants practice squad.

So how does he fit the Saints? We’ve already discussed the role he’ll likely be pushing for on offense, but the Saints are effectively asking five players to compete for two or three roster spots in Washington, Bryan Edwards, Tre’Quan Smith, A.T. Perry, and Malik Flowers, assuming the top three spots are locked in with Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed.

It’s going to be an intense training camp competition. We’ll see who stands out from the pack as practices ramp up going into the summer.

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