James Washington faces his first real adversity as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout was carted off the field during Monday’s training camp practice. The injury is a Jones fracture in Washington’s foot. According to ESPN.
The 60th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Washington was signed by the Cowboys this offseason to help fill the void left when the team traded four-time Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. While he showed flashes of his talent in Pittsburgh, Washington had a hard time finding targets within the Steelers’ stacked receiving corps. His career-high in Pittsburgh (44) came during the 2019 season, a year when Mason Rudolph — Washington’s college quarterback at Oklahoma State — accounted for more than half of the Steelers’ sacks after Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending injury. Started the games.
Despite the lack of targets, Washington caught 114 passes and 11 touchdowns during his four years in Pittsburgh. He averaged 14.3 yards per catch, including a career-high 16.7 yards per reception during the ’19 season. He caught a career-high five touchdowns while helping the Steelers capture the AFC North division title in 2020.
A native of Stamford, Texas, Washington enjoyed a standout college career at Oklahoma State. During his four years with the Cowboys, the 6-foot Washington caught 226 passes for 4,472 yards and 39 touchdowns. He won the Biletnikoff Award (given annually to the top college receiver in Division 1) in 2017 after catching 74 passes for 1,549 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Although Washington’s injury is a gut punch, the Cowboys dodged another injury scare during Monday’s practice. Safety Jayron Kearse, later Need help? To walk off the field during practice, returning to the sideline moments later after being evaluated by the team’s medical staff.
