Cowboys' Jerry Jones: 'No Urgency' to Add WR After James Washington's Foot Injury
August 2, 2022
Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones told reporters Tuesday that "there's no urgency looking for a veteran receiver" even though wideout James Washington will reportedly miss six-to-10 weeks with a fractured right foot.
Michael Gehlken @GehlkenNFLCowboys owner Jerry Jones on urgency level to acquire external help at wide receiver after James Washington foot fracture: “Not at all. Let’s get these guys the incentive, these young receivers.” Sees big opportunity ahead. “There’s no urgency looking for a veteran receiver.” <a href="https://t.co/ejMhTrURpx">pic.twitter.com/ejMhTrURpx</a>
"I really do know that there's progress-stopping in everything," Jones later told 105.3 The Fan's GBag Nation. "This [James Washington's injury] does give this group, who've certainly shown spurts or plays, that they deserve to stay in consideration [for more snaps]. What we got in hand is this group of receivers.
"And we got some receivers that have shown they can do some good things, and are doing more things today than they did yesterday. And so, [Jalen] Tolbert leads the list of the young ones I'm talking about. Let's give these guys a chance. I don't want to be out here pushing and being aggressive, as far as going outside [and looking] at what may be available, that are free agents right now, or otherwise. I think we have a lot of ways to throw the ball. And a lot of people that can get it."
ESPN's Todd Archer first reported the news on Washington, who was scheduled for surgery Tuesday in Dallas. Washington, who signed as a free agent with Dallas after playing four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, suffered the injury during practice Monday.
Washington isn't the only Cowboys receiver who will be out to start the year. Michael Gallup will miss at least the Sept. 11 season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after tearing his ACL in January during a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
Dallas does return CeeDee Lamb, who will be the team's unquestioned top wideout. The Cowboys experienced a lot of turnover otherwise, though, after trading Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns and watching No. 3 wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. leave for the Miami Dolphins in free agency.
The changes and injuries should give ample opportunities early to players such as rookie Jalen Tolbert, whom the Cowboys selected out of South Alabama with the No. 88 pick. Noah Brown, who was Dallas' fourth wideout last year, should get more targets as well.