4. James Washington Impresses with a Standout Performance
On Friday morning, the Colts welcomed wide receiver James Washington for a tryout. By Friday afternoon, they had signed him, and on Saturday, they wasted no time putting him on the field. Washington proved his worth with a remarkable 42-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
Interestingly, Washington’s first meaningful interaction with quarterback Sam Ehlinger happened after that play. Returning to the huddle, Ehlinger commended him, saying, “Good job.” This immediate impact showcased Washington’s intelligence, work ethic, and character. Despite joining the team just a day prior, he quickly grasped the playbook and made significant contributions.
Ehlinger praised Washington, stating, “It’s a credit to his intelligence, his work ethic, and who he is as a person. We were discussing the plays during the morning walk-through, and he already had a solid understanding of them. Considering he signed with us yesterday, it was truly impressive to see how swiftly he adapted and made plays.”
To prepare for his debut, Washington devoted his Friday night to studying the Colts’ call sheet. He acknowledged the support and guidance he received from wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne and offensive quality control/wide receivers coach Brian Bratton, who played a crucial role in his assimilation into the team.
“These past few days have been quite a whirlwind,” shared Washington. “Nevertheless, I am immensely grateful for this opportunity.”
Washington’s gratitude is sincere. The 2018 second-round draft pick faced numerous obstacles on his journey back to the NFL field. Last year, he suffered a broken foot while playing for the Dallas Cowboys, which required two surgeries. It wasn’t until June of this year that he truly felt physically fit again.
Aside from the physical challenges of his recovery, Washington opened up about the mental strain of feeling unwanted and waiting for an opportunity like the one he now has with the Colts.
“I won’t sugarcoat it – it’s been a tough journey,” Washington emotionally expressed. “But I am grateful beyond words.”
