LANDOVER — Well-circulated during the week was practice video of Redskins rookie wide receiver Josh Doctson making a leaping catch in the end zone against backup cornerback Quinton Dunbar. Doctson, the Redskins first-round pick in 2016, looked fully back from an Achilles tendon injury that had nagged him since organized team activities in the offseason.
However, the Redskins’ attempts to replicate the play on Sunday in their 27-23 loss against the Dallas Cowboys were fruitless. Three times Washington tried to throw a fade pass to Doctson. Not once did it work.
“Well, a lot of times we see a one-on-one matchup,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “We like to take a chance with a fade or back-shoulder fade. Sometimes when the box is loaded, we don’t feel like we have the numbers in our favor, and that’s something we need to work on and just plow it in there from the (5-yard line). You know, I think in hindsight… but we did have Jordan Reed, Josh Doctson, Pierre [Garçon] — you know, great one-on- one matchups outside. I like to think I’ll take advantage of that any day all day, we just didn’t win them today.”
Doctson did have one impact play, though. He caught a 57-yard pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins for the biggest gain of his very young career. The ball was underthrown, otherwise Doctson likely had a chance at a touchdown.
Golston to receive MRI
Nose tackle Kedric Golston injured his hamstring on the first play from scrimmage Sunday. After spending several minutes on the ground, he was helped off the field by the training staff. Golston at first was listed as questionable to return. Shortly afterward, he was downgraded to out. Gruden said Golston, who is in his 11th season, will have an MRI performed to determine the extent of the injury.
Losing Golston thinned a defensive line already low in numbers. Two defensive linemen — Kendall Reyes, who was injured (groin) and Anthony Lanier — were inactive. Following Golston’s injury, only four defensive linemen remained: Chris Baker, Ziggy Hood, Cullen Jenkins and Ricky Jean Francois.
Linebacker Will Compton was treated for cramps but returned. Baker came off because of pain in his ribs, which had also limited him in practice much of the week (in addition to an elbow problem), before returning.
Left tackle Trent Williams sat at his locker with a large ice wrap on his right knee following the game. Williams was listed as questionable prior to the game because of a glute injury.
EXTRA POINTS: Among the Redskins’ inactives were quarterback Nate Sudfeld, wide receiver Rashad Ross, cornerback Kendall Fuller, linebacker Martrell Spaight, Lanier, guard Arie Kouandijo and Reyes. Spaight played last week, but did not play Sunday because of concussion symptoms. … Washington Wizards point guard John Wall attended the game in an Emmitt Smith jersey, rankling many Redskins fans. Wall is from Raleigh, North Carolina, and claims to be a lifelong Cowboys fan. … Redskins kicker Dustin Hopkins was 3-for-3 again Sunday, making him 6-for-6 this season kicking field goals. He has made 91.2 percent of his field-goal attempts since joining the Redskins last season. … Linebacker Trent Murphy had 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and a forced fumble Sunday. Murphy had 3.5 sacks all of last season. … Safety DeAngelo Hall became the ninth player in Redskins history to play 100 career games with the organization. … Jordan Reed became the sixth tight end in team history to surpass 2,000 yards receiving. … Josh Norman’s three passes defensed tied his career high.
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