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Jacksonville Jaguars' Parker Washington embraces starting role with Christian Kirk sidelined
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- Jacksonville Jaguars' Parker Washington embraces starting role with Christian Kirk sidelined
This isn't a new thing for Parker Washington .
The 2023 sixth rounder of the Jacksonville Jaguars found himself in a similar place last season. Called into action after a season-ending injury to Christian Kirk , Washington was asked to replace a player who's described by some of his teammates as irreplaceable, an "unfillable hole."
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And now, when Washington takes the field with Jacksonville's offense on Sunday, he's going to again be relied on to provide timely plays as Kirk would typically.
Washington's three catches for 46 yards against Green Bay was a season-high and tallies as the second-most receiving yards he's had in a game. He stepped in for an injured Gabe Davis and then went in for Kirk after he broke his collarbone in the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) catches a pass before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
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"It's not a big deal for him to just be thrown in the game and move around the formation, move around letter wise, whatever he's playing and be able to play at a high level," offensive coordinator Press Taylor said during his Thursday media availability. "Now you just start to see these guys as they settle in with their confidence, their skill set flashes more and more."
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Washington was part of a group of second-year players who took major strides this offseason , joining running back Tank Bigsby and tight end Brenton Strange . Both of those players have already started in place of the players ahead of them this season.
Strange stepped up when Evan Engram missed multiple games with a hamstring injury and Bigsby did the same with Travis Etienne for the last few weeks.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Jalen Jackson (36) and linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) try to defend against wide receiver Parker Washington (11) special teams drills at the organized team activity session Monday, June 3, 2024 at EverBankStadium's Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
Now, it's Washington's turn.
"Since [organized team activities], since training camp, I'm just practicing as if I'm a starter," Washington said on Wednesday. "The preparation is there; the confidence is there. I'm excited for the opportunity. Of course, I definitely hate C. Kirk went down. But I mean, in this business we got to be ready to step up man."
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As mentioned, Washington has been in this position before. But he feels better suited for the role this time around. After having a standout offseason, he's ready to make the most of this opportunity.
"It's not new anymore. I'm getting treated like I'm a second year [guy] and not a rookie, so I don't get any leeway," he said. "I have to know my job and know all the positions, especially with the role I've been in. Continuing to approach it that way, as if I am a starter, no matter what week it is. That's been the kicker for me, that's helped me."
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) smiles during training camp Monday, Aug. 7, 2023 at Miller Electric Center at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. This was the 11th day of training camp.
Washington said Kirk reached out to the receivers in their group chat and gave them good words.
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Their relationship has been strong since Washington joined the team last offseason and it will likely continue to be good as Kirk rehabs from another injury.
"It's just good to know that no matter what, he's always a great teammate. Always there for you," Washington said of Kirk. "I just want to be the best backup for him and do what I need to do and handle business."
Him handling business starts this week as the team tries to turnaround their season.
"I just [have] the utmost confidence from this offseason and the work, and just trusting that the work was good," Washington said. "That's how I've been approaching each practice, just being free, having fun and just chop wood, carry water, really."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars WR Parker Washington is confident ahead of Eagles game
