3 offensive players who need more snaps for remainder of 2021
By Jerry Trotta
Don’t look now, but the Washington Football Team’s offense is currently mired in a little bit of a slump. Over the last three weeks, including Sunday’s loss to Dallas, the offense is scoring an average of 15.6 points per game.
While the defense is performing like the world-beater we came to grow and love last season, Washington can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye if the offense doesn’t start picking up the slack.
That’s obviously easier said than done. Taylor Heinicke needs to bounce back from a hellacious performance vs the Cowboys and the offensive line is hanging together by a thread from a health standpoint.
The eventual return of JD McKissic will obviously help the cause, but Washington needs some semblance of a spark on offense. We don’t have all the answers, but giving these three players more snaps couldn’t hurt!
These Washington Football Team players need more snaps
3. Curtis Samuel
Anybody else read a report prior to Week 14 that Curtis Samuel was supposed to see increased playing time against Dallas? That gave us the impression the coaching staff was finally ready to remove the kid gloves and unleash the speedy wideout.
When the dust settled, though, Samuel logged his lowest snap count (14) since he returned to the lineup in Week 12. He saw two targets and didn’t log a reception. Over the last three games, he’s managed just two catches for eight yards on five targets while playing 25% of the snaps.
For the season (five games), Samuel has turned 10 touches into 38 scrimmage yards and zero touchdowns. Not the production Washington expected after they signed him to a three-year, $34.5 million contract.
Fans have likely accepted the fact that 2021 will go down as a wash for the prized free agent signing, but he can undo the lost season by providing consistent production down the stretch as the team looks to punch a ticket to the playoffs.
To do that, Samuel needs to see the field more. Ron Rivera acknowledged his reduced role vs Dallas came down to “play-calling and personnel.” Well, with Terry McLaurin (concussion) a real question mark for Sunday against the Eagles, the head coach has run out of excuses to not get Samuel more involved.
Fans shouldn’t have to wait until next season to see the dynamic receiver be unleashed. Assuming his groin isn’t still a major issue, Samuel needs to be a focal point of the offense for the remainder of 2021.