Tag: WR Jamison Crowder

Commanders release WR Byron Pringle

Who returns kickoffs for the Commanders on Sunday?

Nothing has come easy for Byron Pringle.

On Friday, the Commanders, conducting their final practice before flying to Tampa, released the wide receiver, who came into the league undrafted in 2018.

The majority of those following the Commanders closely believed that Pringle had made the 53-man roster to provide a veteran receiver who would also return kickoffs.

This raises the question of who the Commanders use on Sunday to return kickoffs. Would they promote Kazmeir Allen from the practice squad to handle the duty?

Or might they have Olamide Zaccheaus help return kickoffs? However, Zaccheaus, in his five seasons, has only returned three punts and two kickoffs. Jamison Crowder has again retained the job of punt returner.

The release of Pringle also raises the question of whether the coaching staff felt another receiver on the practice squad was looking better on the practice fields than Pringle and was consequently determined to make the move.

It could also be that the team has signed and brought in receiver Noah Brown, who makes Pringle expendable. This would allow the Commanders to bring up someone else from the practice squad at another position where they feel the need is more urgent.

Pringle, who played at Kansas State, signed with the Chiefs in May of 2018 and was waived in the preseason of both 2018 and 2019 before returning to play three seasons for the Chiefs (2019-21).

After being with the Bears in 2022, Pringle was a rather late signee to Washington in 2023. Since March 2023, Pringle had been a free agent, and no team had signed him. In late July, after the mini camps were completed, Washington suddenly signed Pringle, most likely an Eric Bieniemy choice from coaching Pringle in Kansas City.

Pringle caught 14 passes for 161 yards (11.5) in 2023 for the Commanders.

2024 NFL preview: How ready are the Commanders at wide receiver?

How good can Washington’s wide receivers be in 2024?

The receivers group is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, question marks for the 2024 Commanders.

Terry McLaurin returns having caught 79 passes for 1,002 yards, four touchdowns, and 47 first downs, averaging 12.7 yards a reception. McLaurin has persevered and endured inconsistent quarterback play his entire NFL career (2019-2023) with Washington. So, if healthy, McLaurin will again be productive. Terry McLaurin 2023 highlights

All the DMV wants to be optimistic, yet the reality is Washington must replace its second and third receivers from 2023. Curtis Samuel was on the receiving end of 62 passes for 613 yards, four touchdowns, and 26 first downs, averaging 9.9 yards a reception. Samuel departed as a free agent and signed with the Bills.

Jahan Dotson, selected 16th overall by Washington in the 2022 draft, collected 49 receptions for 518 yards, four touchdowns, and 27 first downs, averaging 10.6 yards per reception. Dotson and the offensive coaches were not on the same page in training camp, and he was subsequently traded to the Eagles.

So, where will production come from this receiver group? Dyami Brown has been largely unproductive in his first three NFL seasons. He has flashed, but only a few plays each season. He has also struggled to catch some balls that were certainly catchable.

However, coaches have continued to insist that Brown has worked hard and produced throughout the offseason and training camp. Brown has been publicly praised more than once by Dan Quinn, and apparently, the Commanders believed enough in Brown and rookie Luke McCaffrey that they traded Dotson.

McCaffrey brings some size at 6-2, 198. Coaches believe the rookie has good upside because he converted from quarterback his last two years at Rice and only began playing receiver.

Jamison Crowder and Byron Pringle will not be putting up large numbers. However, the two have both shown that they can still make plays and play physical football, and both are willing and able to contribute on special teams.

According to Quinn, Olamide Zaccheaus has impressed throughout the offseason and training camp. He has experience at age 27 and 72 NFL games, catching 104 passes for 1,492 yards (14.3 yards per reception) and 10 receiving touchdowns. Can he produce enough? Well, in 2022, he caught 40 passes at a 13.3-yard average per completion. We shall see, but he earned more praise than Dotson in training camp.

Noah Brown was cut by the Texans and signed by the Commanders. He has had a few injuries, but he has a reputation for being competitive and physical, which the coaches seek.

Brycen Tremayne (Stanford) and Mitchell Tinsley (Penn State) were brought back and signed to the practice squad. Also, of note, this was not the duo’s first NFL offseason, training camp, or preseason.