Last week, Washington coach Jay Gruden said he had “no expectations” for when receiver Josh Doctson would return from an Achilles injury. This week, Gruden says he has “total expectation” that Doctson will play in the first regular season game.
“He did the route tree today, which is very positive – not 100 percent yet obviously – he’s not running full-speed but he’s doing a lot more now than he did a week ago, which the progress that we see is a very, very good sign for us,” Gruden said on Tuesday. “I have total expectation that he’s going to be ready Week One, possibly the fourth preseason game, but we’ll still see. Like I said, it’s a new injury to me.”
Doctson, Washington’s first-round draft pick, is behind in practice reps because of the injury. But Gruden says that doesn’t put Doctson as far behind as it might seem.
“He’s getting all of the mental reps he can,” Gruden said. “He’s been working in the meeting rooms and he is studying the game and he is a very bright kid. He understands football, which is good.���
The wait to see what Doctson can do on the field is almost over.