Falcons Sign Ex-Steelers WR James Washington

The Atlanta Falcons are signing former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Washington had 114 catches for 1,629 yards and 11 TDs over four years with the Steelers (2018-21).

Washington reunites with former Steelers wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard, who’s now Atlanta’s WR coach.

Washington, 28, hasn’t appeared in the NFL since playing two games for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2022 season. He suffered a foot fracture during training camp in 2022 and then came back for two games late in that season before he was released.

In 2023, Washington was released spent time with the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, but did not appear in a game. He was released by Saints after playing in one preseason game, catching one pass for 42 yards, and then appeared in one more with the Colts, before being released.

Washington did not sign with another team and spent all of the 2023 regular season out of football. According to Fowler, Washington has received “multiple inquiries” from teams seeking to try out the veteran receiver.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington is attempting an NFL comeback, according to a report by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Washington, 28, hasn’t appeared in the NFL since playing two games for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2022 season. He suffered a foot fracture during training camp in 2022 and then came back for two games late in that season before he was released.
Steelers WR James Washington

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) trains at Heinz Field during the Steelers 2020 Training Camp, Friday, Aug. 7, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

In 2023, Washington was releasedspent time with the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, but did not appear in a game. He was released by Saints after playing in one preseason game, catching one pass for 42 yards, and then appeared in one more with the Colts, before being released.

Washington did not sign with another team and spent all of the 2023 regular season out of football. According to Fowler, Washington has received “multiple inquiries” from teams seeking to try out the veteran receiver.

A 5-foot-11, 216-pound native of Stamford, Texas, the Steelers drafted Washington in out of Oklahoma State in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons in Pittsburgh, racking up 1,629 yards and 11 touchdowns.

His best season came in 2019, when he developed a rapport with fellow former Oklahoma State Cowboy, quarterback Mason Rudolph, and caught 80 passes for 735 yards and three touchdowns.

Washington left Pittsburgh after his rookie contract in 2022, signing as a free agent with Dallas, but has played just two games since.

The Steelers’ season opener is against the Falcons on Sept. 8 in Atlanta.