Redskins rookie Josh Doctson has bigger role in second NFL game

Former Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley declared that 2016 would be a “redshirt” season for TCU grad and Mansfield native Josh Doctson.

After the wide receiver missed the entire preseason with an Achilles tendon injury, it looked like Cooley’s prediction might come true.

But the 22nd overall pick of the spring draft and Mansfield Legacy grad had a clear role in Sunday’s 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

He was targeted five times and had one catch for 57 yards.

“Kirk [Cousins] threw some good balls, I just got to come out with them,” Doctson said. “They’re going to target me in the red zone and I got to make something happen.”

Doctson, who set the school record for touchdown catches during his three-year stint at TCU, was targeted four times in the end zone, including an unsuccessful Hail Mary attempt as time expired.

While Doctson’s first NFL touchdown still eludes him, he contributed to an offense that amassed 432 total yards.

Just after making his first appearance on the field in the second quarter, Doctson executed a downfield block that allowed running back Matt Jones to turn the corner and dive across the goal line for his team’s first touchdown of the game.

Doctson also made the most of his only pass from Cousins outside the end zone, sprinting down the field and hauling in a deep ball that resulted in a 57-yard gain early in the fourth quarter.

Three plays later, Doctson was unable to catch a ball in the end zone that would have put the Redskins up by 10, and Cousins ultimately threw a game-altering interception to end the drive.

“If they’re going to target me, I’ve got to work better,” Doctson said.

Physically, Doctson appears 100 percent healthy. He made a quick cut after catching the deep ball and sprinted down the field.

But Doctson acknowledges that the lack of practice time combined with minimal game experience is a huge adjustment. He made a cameo appearance in his NFL debut, catching one pass for 9 yards in the waning moments of a 38-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Being a rookie, not having any practice for a week and a half in the NFL, it’s tough,” Doctson said. “I’m proud for myself for pushing through it but I can’t just push through, I got to actually do something. I’m going to get better.”

For now, Doctson lines up almost exclusively in red zone situations. But as he grows more comfortable with coach Jay Gruden’s offense, he will likely garner more looks outside the 25-yard line.

“We like to take a chance with a fade or back shoulder fade,” Gruden said of his team’s ultimately unsuccessful red zone strategy. “I like to think I’ll take advantage of that any day all day, we just didn’t win them today.”

Despite Doctson’s lack of game and practice experience, lining up against his hometown Cowboys wasn’t a big deal for the rookie as he nonchalantly said it’s a “different logo.”

Doctson emphasized that the reps during the coming week of practice will be more important than anything else, and the key to getting that elusive first NFL touchdown.

This story was originally published September 18, 2016 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Redskins rookie Josh Doctson has bigger role in second NFL game."