The Commanders will have a returner option available as early as Week 15. The team announced on Monday that Jamison Crowder has been designated for return.
The veteran will also be in place as a depth receiver once he is back in the fold, of course. Crowder now has 21 days to be activated and avoid reverting to season-ending injured reserve. He has been out of the picture since he suffered a calf injury in Week 3.
The 31-year-old spent last season in Washington, where he began in NFL career. Crowder made only 20 catches in 2023, but he totaled 35 punt returns and posted an average of 7.9 yards per return. Once back on the roster, he will be a candidate to reprise that special-teams role (although before getting injured, Crowder did not register any kick or punt returns this season).
The former fourth-rounder was a regular offensive contributor during his first stint in the nation’s capital, and that remained the case during his three seasons with the Jets. Crowder only made four appearances with the Bills in 2022, and expectations were low when he took a one-year Commanders deal last September. His level of play on special teams led to another modest commitment, though, this time from Washington’s new regime led by general manager Adam Peters.
As Crowder looks to carve out a depth role on offense and/or special teams, Washington will prepare for a key stretch to close out the campaign. Sitting at 8-5 on the year, the Commanders are in a wild-card spot but are far from guaranteed to have a postseason berth with the Rams only one game back. Coming off the bye, the team will have another healthy option in place in time for its next contest provided Crowder is activated in the next few days. Once he is brought back, the Commanders will have four IR activations remaining on the year.
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