The Dallas Cowboys suffered a huge setback at wide receiver Monday when free agent signee James Washington was carted off the practice field.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs landed on Washington’s right foot after the two went up for a pass.
Washington stayed on the ground briefly before trying to get up and walk it off. He started hobbling and eventually was carted off.
The Cowboys feared the worst with the initial diagnosis of a fractured foot but team waited on the results of a magnetic resonance imaging exam for confirmation.
Their fears were realized when vice president Stephen Jones confirmed that Washington fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday in Dallas and will be sidelined up to 10 weeks.
Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant had the injury a few years ago and missed six weeks. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence had surgery last year and missed 10 weeks with the same injury.
Either way, it’s a huge setback for the Cowboys and Washington, who joined the team as a free agent on the off season to help make for the losses of Amari Cooper, who was traded to the Cleveland Browns, and Cedrick Wilson, who signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency.
Cooper and Wilson combined for 113 receptions for 1,467 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
Owner Jerry Jones had expressed optimism two days ago about what Washington and rookie third-round pick Jalen Tolbert could bring to the position behind No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb.
On Monday, he admitted being concerned about Washington and what his loss would mean for the Cowboys.
The team is already starting the season without presumed No. 2 receiver Michael Gallup, who is still recovering from a torn ACL.
Without Washington and Gallup, the Cowboys top receivers in camp behind Lamb are Tolbert, Noah Brown, T.J. Vasher, Dennis Houston and Simi Fehoko.
The group outside of Lamb have a combined 39 career catches, all from Brown over the last four seasons, including a season-high 16 in 2021.
Brown has never been higher than the fifth receiver on the roster and his primary value has been versatility on special teams.
Top free agent receivers left on the market are Odell Beckham Jr., Cole Beasley, Will Fuller and Emmanuel Sanders if the Cowboys choose to go that route.
The team has roughly $22 million in cap room available.
