Cowboys wide receiver James Washington will likely miss the start of the regular season after it was deemed that he would have to rest for 6-10 Jones to allow the fracture in his right foot to heal, according to ESPN.
Washington was injured after attempting to outpace cornerback Trevon Diggs in coverage during a 7-on-7 drill in the team’s first padded practice on Monday. He proceeded to run along the left sideline. When Diggs nearly caught the ball, the two collided. Although Diggs held the target in his hands, he was unable to secure it.
The Cowboys will be without WR James Washington for 6-10 weeks because of a fractured right foot suffered Monday, according to multiple sources. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday in Dallas.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 1, 2022
The 26-year-old then fell awkwardly. He remained down for a short while, then limped on his left foot to the sideline. Afterward, he was removed from the field and taken for further examination. An MRI revealed a fracture that team officials had suspected. Surgery is scheduled for the former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout on Tuesday.
Washington’s NFL record
Washington, who was selected 60th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Steelers, was signed by Dallas this offseason as a replacement after the team traded their star receiver Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. Although Washington showed enough potential in Pittsburgh, he had trouble finding targets among the Steelers’ stacked receiving corps.
Four-time Pro Bowler Cooper was traded by the Cowboys to the Browns in March. Additionally, Cedrick Wilson left the team in free agency to join the Miami Dolphins. Last season, Cooper and Wilson accumulated 1,467 yards on reception and 14 touchdowns.
As feared, Cowboys WR James Washington fractured his right foot, two people familiar with situation said. Surgery to come. Dallas to be without both Washington, Michael Gallup to begin season. pic.twitter.com/KN7kUXi12y
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 1, 2022
Washington set a career-high with 44 targets with Pittsburgh during the 2019 season. He collected 114 catches and scored 11 touchdowns, as well as recorded 16.7 yards per reception and averaged 14.3 yards per catch despite the lack of targets over the course of his four years in Pittsburgh. He also caught a career-high five touchdowns as the Steelers triumphed in the AFC North division a year later.
The Atlanta, Georgia, native was a standout during his college career at Oklahoma State. As a result of catching 74 passes for 1,549 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2017, he won the Biletnikoff Award for the best college receiver in Division 1. The four years Washington spent with the college saw him catch 226 passes for 4,472 yards and score 39 touchdowns. Later, during his stint with Pittsburgh, Washington played between 44 and 68 percent of offensive snaps a season.
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup (knee) isn’t sure when he’ll be ready to return. He said playing Week 1 is not a realistic possibility. “We got a little ways to go. It’s gotta get a little bit stronger. … I’m ready to get back out there and help the team win.” pic.twitter.com/ofkK4GO1cP
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 28, 2022
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Saturday he wasn’t concerned about the receivers’ abilities to perform as well as they did last season since Washington will back them up as well as rookie Jalen Tolbert.
“I like our boy from Oklahoma State a lot. A lot,” Jones said of Washington. “And I like these young ones. And so knowing where else we can go with the ball, I like our receivers.”
Washington’s speed was also praised last week by quarterback Dak Prescott. “He’ll stretch the defense and make plays,” said Prescott. “He can definitely help this offense.”
The Cowboys initially expected him to start immediately as wide receiver Michael Gallup had to undergo ACL surgery. However, it appears that this was not meant to be.