Report: James Washington Signs with Colts

It took James Washington only three days to find a new football home.

Washington, a Biletnikoff Award winner at Oklahoma State, reportedly signed with the Colts on Friday after being released by the Saints on Tuesday. Indianapolis is Washington’s fourth destination in just over a year.

Washington’s NFL career has been one long obstacle since the Steelers drafted him in the second round in 2018. He was in Pittsburgh for four seasons, catching 114 passes for 1,629 yards and 11 touchdowns in an extremely crowded WR room.

Once becoming a free agent, Washington signed with his home state Dallas Cowboys in 2022, but a broken foot in training camp derailed his time with America’s Team before it even got started. He eventually returned from the injury but played in only two games without a catch before the Cowboys released him. Washington then had a very brief stint with the Giants but never saw action in New York.

This offseason, Washington joined the Saints, but his stop in New Orleans was over after one preseason game– during which he was targeted twice but didn’t record a catch. He hasn’t caught an NFL pass since 2021.

Washington is considered one of the greatest receivers to come from Oklahoma State. That’s a program that also produced the likes of Dez Bryant, Justin Blackmon, Rashaun Woods and Tylan Wallace. Washington surpassed 1,000 receiving yards every season but his freshman campaign. He was awarded the Biletnikoff and earned All-American honors in 2017, tallying 74 catches, 1,549 yards and 13 TDs.

The Colts’ next preseason game is at 6 p.m. Saturday against the Bears. Washington likely will not see playing time until Thursday, though, when the Colts play the Eagles.