James Washington becomes 3rd Steelers receiver to depart, signs with Cowboys
James Washington is going back to his home state.
Washington is leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers after four seasons, agreeing to a one-year contract Friday with the Dallas Cowboys.
Washington was born in Stamford, Texas, and he attended college at Oklahoma State and was the Steelers’ second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
He became the third wide receiver to depart the Steelers in two days, joining Ray-Ray McCloud (San Francisco) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (Kansas City).
Washington, who turns 26 in April, was the least utilized member of a receiving quartet that included Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Even when Smith-Schuster was injured in Week 5, Washington’s role didn’t significantly increase.
He finished the season with 24 receptions, the second-fewest in his career, for 285 yards and two touchdowns. He played 47% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps.
Washington had 44 catches for 735 yards in 2019, and he caught five touchdown passes the following season on 30 receptions for 392 yards.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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