Parker Washington was in dire need of the Jacksonville Jaguars on offense Monday against the Cincinnati Bengals after Christian Kirk went down in the first quarter with a groin injury.
Washington, a sixth-round draft pick out of Penn State, especially nailed his first NFL touchdown in the third quarter and a clutch recovery to preserve the drive that ended with Brandon McManus’ field goal.
Washington’s efforts and those of the rest of the offense were in vain as the Bengals won 34-31 in overtime on a 48-yard field goal by former Florida Gator Evan McPherson – the second time McPherson had beaten the Jaguars on a walk. Field goal.
He kicked a 36-yarder on the final regulation kick of 2021 as the Jaguars beat Cincinnati 24-21 in Thursday night’s game.
Bengals 34, Jaguars 31:The Jags lose Trevor Lawrence to an ankle injury, falling to the Bengals on MNF
“It was a tough loss… I definitely wanted to get that one,” said Washington, who caught six passes for 61 yards, highlighted by his 14-yard reception that tied the game 21-21. “I just had to step up tonight. [Kirk] He was injured. “I just wanted to help the team the best I could.”
Parker Washington should have intervened early
Kirk was injured on the Jags’ first offensive play of the game, falling hard after catching a 26-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence. On the next possession, Washington caught his first pass as a pro, for a modest 6 yards.
Washington’s first NFL touchdown came on third-and-9 with 5:26 remaining in the third period. He moved right, crossed the corner into the end zone and caught a pass that Lawrence floated over defender Dax Hill.
Washington extended the ball with his left hand, bobbled it for a split second, then collected it as he fell to the ground near the back of the end zone. He landed with both knees inward.
Asked what he was thinking when the ball was in the air, Washington said: “I can’t let this go… It’s an opportunity. This doesn’t come along very often. I just want to play.”
He wasn’t sure he was entering until he saw an official raising his arms.
“I got the signal,” he said. “I got the signal and said, ‘Let’s go…’, so it was exciting.”
A faltering recovery in Washington kept the campaign alive
However, Washington made another big play that didn’t involve being a wide receiver or returner (as he was filling in for an injured Jamaal Agnew).
As the Jaguars began their final drive in regulation with 2:28 left, backup quarterback CJ Beathard rushed for a 6-yard gain. Cincinnati linebacker Logan Wilson stripped Beathard of the ball, and cornerback DJ Turner II had a chance to get it back, but he let the ball slip through his fingers, and Washington finally pounced on it.
It kept the possession alive and Washington later caught an 8-yard pass three plays before McManus sent the game into overtime.
“We’re trained to be around football,” Washington said. “I didn’t know if it was a foul or not. But being around the football saves the game.”
Washington has had a rough start to the new year
Washington has waited a long time to contribute to the Jaguars.
He was inactive for the first three games of the season, then made his NFL debut against Buffalo in London. Washington injured his knee on his first NFL touchdown, a punt return, and spent four weeks on injured reserve.
Washington played against Tennessee without stats and showed some flash with a 22-yard penalty against Houston.
But being a beginner, he made some mistakes, which he readily admitted.
Washington attempted to return the kickoff outside the end zone, only reaching the Jags’ 16-yard line. However, this was the possession that ended in a touchdown reception.
Washington also missed a penalty kick near the end of the third quarter, but fell on the ball.
“I made some mistakes there,” he said. “I just need to be ready to work and get better and keep growing.”
