Tag: WR / KR Jamison Crowder

Commanders sticking with Olamide Zaccheaus at punt returner

The Commanders are sticking with Olamide Zaccheaus at punt returner.

In life, if you want results to change, you have to change something. Yet, change for the sake of change will not necessarily bring better results.

Perhaps that is what Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was thinking on Monday. While in conversation with the press, he was asked if there might be a change in who is returning punts for Washington.

First, he acknowledged why the question was being asked. Washington’s Olamide Zaccheaus had muffed two punts Sunday, and the Steelers recovered the second one. Only needing to travel 14 yards, the Steelers converted the Zaccheaus fumble into a quick touchdown.

“No one would be more disappointed than OZ in that. I am confident in him,” said Quinn.

Quinn is confident in Zaccheaus, perhaps because Zaccheaus has also caught 22 receptions this season, averaging 10.5 yards per reception. Sure, Quinn could bring up someone from the practice squad, but if he does, that is a roster spot.

Last year’s punt returner Jamison Crowder injured a calf and was put on injured reserve. If Quinn were to bring back Crowder, would he then release someone?

In addition, on his 11 punt returns this season, Zaccheaus is averaging 12.3 yards a return and his long is only 24 yards. In 2023, Crowder only averaged 7.9 yards on his 35 punt returns.

Quinn acknowledged the bobbled punts were “a big deal.” Yet he also added, “Yeah, don’t have any change into that space as we’re heading into this game.”

So Quinn is not saying there will be no change. He is saying there will be no change for this game. He wants to stay with Zaccheaus and is confident Zaccheaus can put his fumbling behind him.

Commanders’ Week 4 game captains and injury report

Quinn named three deserving captains and an injury update for the game at the Cardinals, Sunday.

Friday, Dan Quinn met with the media informing them of the Week 4 game captains and injuries update.

Quinn stated the captains for Sunday against the Cardinals will be guard Nick Allegretti, safety Quan Martin and running back Jeremy McNichols.

All three players have been praised this week, so it is no coincidence of their being rewarded this week. In the Week 3 win at Cincinnati, tight end Zach Ertz caught a Jayden Daniels pass, but fumbled when hit. Fortunately for the team, Allegretti was not standing there watching the play. No, immediately following the reception, Allegretti began running downfield to trail the play. When the loose ball hit the turf, there was Allegretti to alertly pounce on it, recovering Ertz’ fumble, keeping the drive alive.

Safety Quan Martin has been mentioned by name by defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Whitt named Martin as one of his four players who are meeting the standard he set in training camp. Again this week, Whitt named Martin as a player Whitt really thinks is playing well.

McNichols seized the attention of coaches, teammates and fans for the way he played tough when called upon when Austin Ekeler was knocked out of the Bengals game with a concussion. In particular, on the 3rd & 7 with 2:15 remaining, when Daniels dropped back, the Bengals sent a couple of blitzers. McNichols picked up on blitzer, not only in the technical term, but literally lifted him off of the ground in a beautiful blitz pick up. This was the inside blitzer, who, had he not been picked up, Daniels would never have had time to make his game-winning touchdown toss to Terry McLaurin.

Those injured who will not play against the Cardinals? Quinn declared Clelin Ferrell (knee), Austin Ekeler (concussion) and Jamison Crowder (calf) as out for Sunday’s game.