Jacksonville Jaguars rookie wide receiver Parker Washington wasn’t expected to have much of a role on offense Monday night, but was thrust into the lineup after Christian Kirk was injured on the team’s first offensive snap.
Washington, who entered the night with zero career receptions, shined in relief of Kirk and finished with six receptions for 61 yards, including an incredible touchdown grab off of a deflection.
The sixth-round rookie wasn’t much in the mood for celebration after the game, though. When he met with reporters in the locker room, Washington said he deserved blame for the disastrous play that ended with an ankle injury for Trevor Lawrence.
“I feel like that play is on me too, so that definitely hurts,” Washington said. “I just needed to be more decisive in my route, be quicker. Third down, I didn’t know if there was pressure or not. I’ve just got to be able to make a play and be decisive for the quarterback.”
On the third-and-11 play, Lawrence appeared ready to fire a short pass to Washington. But when the rookie receiver wasn’t looking back for the ball, Lawrence held on to it and was subsequently stepped on by left tackle Walker Little.
Trevor Lawrence is hurt bad and he knows it. pic.twitter.com/aKjRL0oajh
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) December 5, 2023
After sitting up, Lawrence appeared to briefly show frustration with Washington before trying to get back to his feet and walk off the field, which he was unable to do. The Jaguars’ third-year quarterback was eventually helped to the locker room and didn’t return.
Washington, a former Penn State standout, spent six weeks on the injured reserve earlier this year after suffering a knee injury in Week 4. He made his return in Week 11 as a returner after Jamal Agnew landed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
