Cowboys WR James Washington returns to practice

Cowboys WR James Washington has been activated from injured reserved and will now begin his 21-day practice window. Washington has been on injured reserve since breaking his foot in the first padded practice of training camp in August.

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For clarity, the 21-day window allows the Cowboys to decide by either adding Washington to the 53-man roster or sending him back to injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Cowboys fans have been eagerly awaiting to see what James Washington can do on the field with this offense. Since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Washington has totaled 1,629 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Washington was signed by the Cowboys in the 2022 offseason after the Cowboys traded WR Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick. Washington hasn’t played a snap for the Cowboys, and it is a fair assessment to wonder what exactly Washington could provide to the Cowboys’ receiver core. Speculation about Washington’s role in this team has been discussed widely over the last few weeks, with free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr. set to visit the Cowboys next Monday, December 5th.

The Cowboys’ offense has been rolling ever since QB Dak Prescott’s return to the offense in week 7, and the Cowboys are looking for that missing piece that can help elevate this offense to an elite level going into the playoffs. WR CeeDee Lamb has seemingly blossomed as the Cowboys’ #1 receiver, and WR Michael Gallup looks to be returning to form since healing from his ACL injury.

In reality, the Cowboys are one injury away from their wide receiver group being lackluster. The Cowboys need more depth at the wide receiver position, but the question remains about what will happen when Odell Beckham Jr. comes into town. If the Cowboys indeed sign Beckham, they would need to make room for him on the 53-man roster, and James Washington’s spot could be the prime destination for him.

If the Cowboys decide to keep Washington even if they sign Odell Beckham, it will be interesting to see how Washington could fit in this offense. Washington was considered a deep-ball threat for the Steelers, as his speed down the field helped elevate him to making some incredible plays for Pittsburgh, which is exactly the type of receiver this Dallas offense is missing.

Time will tell if James Washington even sees the field in a Cowboys uniform, but there is a glimmer of hope for the Cowboys adding some much-needed wide receiver depth if he is added to the 53-man roster.