NFL Update: James Washington Scores, Chris Carson Goes MIA in Chicago

Week 2 of the NFL has come and gone and there were several firsts for former Pokes. James Washington recorded his first catch (which became his first touchdown) and Chris Carson, his head coach’s darling up to this point, saw his first non-injury benching.

James Washington scores on first catch

A week after being held to just 13.1 percent of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps and playing five on special teams, last year’s Biletnikoff winner saw the field for 66 offensive plays (80.5 percent).

While he only caught one of his five targets, he made No. 4 count on this somewhat controversial play in the red zone.

Ben Roethlisberger stepped across the line of scrimmage before tossing it to Washington, which brought on the ire of Kansas City fans and Big Ben detractors alike. But a look at the NFL’s rule book shows that in order for it to have been an illegal forward pass, all of his body and the ball would need to be past the line.

His left foot wasn’t, so Washington got a score on his first career touch just like several notable Pittsburgh wideouts including his current teammates Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

And Washington proved to coaches and fans alike that he’s not afraid to do the dirty work as well.

James Washington recorded not only his first catch and touchdown Sunday but also his first Hines Ward-inspired block. He's going to fit in well here. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/NjZbu7rm0T

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 17, 2018

Chris Carson Goes Missing at Soldier Field

Seattle’s starting running back got the bulk of the carries early during the Monday Night Football tilt between the Seahawks and the Bears, with six attempts for 24 yards. Then early in the second quarter, he vanished.

Like, he disappeared.

Carson appeared in only a few snaps early in the third quarter but didn’t touch the ball again.

#Seahawks Twitter was rife with speculation over Carson’s absence from the lineup with plenty bemoaning head coach Pete Carroll’s benching of the player that he stated “really took the lead” after the Seahawks’ season opener last week.

A missing person’s report was not needed after all as Carson was noted as being dressed on the sidelines as Seattle went with RB2 Rashaad Penny as well as splitting reps between Mike Davis and C.J. Prosise.

Chris Carson is standing on #Seahawks' sideline with helmet on, following the coaches and this sudden, almost inexplicable march down the field, rooting on the offense to keep the tempo up

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 18, 2018

Even more puzzling, Carroll claimed after the game that the tailback who he recently praised for his impressive conditioning was “gassed” because he had to help out on special teams. According to ProFootballTalk, Carson only appeared to play “on 19 or 20 total plays (including special teams) during the game.”

Asked Pete Carroll why lead RB Chris Carson disappeared from the run game then the #Seahawks offense completely in the second half tonight. Coach said: pic.twitter.com/w2sPOI7KaP

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 18, 2018

Conspiracy theories abound on Seahawks social media streams but, at least publicly, Carroll hasn’t given any reason to think the former OSU back won’t be return to his featured role next week. Carson currently leads all Seattle running backs with 75 yards on 5.8 yards per carry.

Tre Flowers Out

Rookie Tre Flowers, who had stepped into Seattle’s starting cornerback spot in Week 1 due to injury, was himself inactive during the Seahawks’ Monday Night defeat in Chicago because of a hamstring injury. The timeline for his injury is unclear but Flowers will likely regain his starting role once he is cleared.

Dan Bailey finds home with the Vikings

The No. 2 most accurate kicker in NFL history was without a job for all of 16 days before picking from a handful of teams in need who offered. It was reported on Monday that Bailey would sign with the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota, in turn, waived place kicker Daniel Carlson after an 0-for-3 performance during the Vikings’ 29-29 tie with Green Bay on Sunday, including missing a 35-yard would-be game-winner.

Vincent Taylor Continues to Improve/Impress

Taylor tallied three total tackles (one solo) during his 23 snaps on defense (and six on special teams) during Miami’s 20-12 win over the New York Jets.

Vincent Taylor probably needs to be starting for the Dolphins. Every time he's on the field he's grading well. Time to ramp up the playing time ask and see how he responds.

— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) September 13, 2018

Taylor’s presence and production in the Dolphins’ defensive front has talking heads and fans alike calling for an increased role for the second-year D-Tackle.

Vincent Taylor is really playing well lately.

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) September 16, 2018

Lane Taylor Flagged with Costly Holding Call

Offensive linemen don’t get a lot of pub. It’s a pretty thankless job, really. And among linemen, guards get even less credit — unless something goes wrong.

On Sunday, Lane Taylor saw his name in the news for, you guessed it, a not-so-great result for his team.

It was a questionable holding call on Taylor that nullified an Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Graham TD, a score which would have put the Packers up 24-7 over the Vikings. The drive instead ended with a field goal.

Pretty weak. Officials not on A game today. pic.twitter.com/igXzIumIQY

— Jay Cutler (@smokinjay6) September 16, 2018

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, not prone to mince words, didn’t seem to fault his starting left guard.

“I didn’t see a hold there,” McCarthy said, “but we have to convert on the next set of downs.”

That play proved all the more impactful when Green Bay went to overtime and then ended the game knotted up with Minnesota, giving the NFL two tied results in as many weeks to start the season.