Nate

Washington

Hines Ward is suffering from a minor hamstring and will sit out, but this is a good sign that Washington, who has a story similar to Willie Parker, is currently No. 3 on the receiver depth chart ahead of Santonio Holmes and Quincy Morgan.

Washington scurried for ten yards on a reverse and nearly caught a touchdown from Charlie Batch on Pittsburgh’s second possession. He’s competing with Santonio Holmes to be the Steelers’ No. 3 wideout.

We’re skeptical Washington can become a real part of the offense this season but Bill Cowher insists otherwise. Cedrick Wilson has struggled with drops and Santonio Holmes is injured, so Washington should continue to get chances.

Pittsburgh’s current No. 3 receiver rebounded from a no-catch exhibition opener to catch three balls for 53 yards.

Charlie Batch hooked up with the Steelers’ No. 3 receiver on a 27-yard, jump-ball score in the front of the end zone near the start of the first quarter. Washington, who was utilized frequently in three-wide receiver sets and targeted often on third downs, finished up with two catches for 32 yards.

Washington capitalized on Kenny Britt’s first-half right knee injury, racking up targets all over the field. Chris Johnson was second on the team in receptions, and only had four. Matt Hasselbeck and Washington have clearly formed a consistent rapport. Should Britt miss games, Washington will emerge as an every-week WR3 in a clicking Tennessee passing game. Through three weeks, Washington is up to 21 catches and 258 yards.

Washington took full advantage of Britt’s absence in the second-half of Week 3, ending up with eight receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. Matt Hasselbeck and Washington have formed a solid rapport that should be on full display week in and week out. Washington’s potential is capped given the limited talent across from him at wide receiver and his lack of game-changing ability, but he’s set to see plenty of targets and should emerge as an every-week WR3 play.

The Titans appeared to move Washington around the formation quite a bit, in order to avoid Ike Taylor’s coverage. Matt Hasselbeck refused to throw Taylor’s way. Since Kenny Britt’s year-ending ACL/MCL tear, Washington has seven catches for 132 yards in two games. The Titans go on a bye in Week 6.

Washington lost a 40-yard reception when Damian Williams was called for an illegal pick to get him open. With Johnathan Joseph turning in another dominant performance, Washington was targeted just three times. Expect the inconsistency to continue the rest of the way, as Washington isn’t a true No. 1 receiver.

He still “expects to be back for organized workouts” after the draft. Washington, 28, recorded career bests in catches (74), yards (1,023), and touchdowns (7) last season while moving into the No. 1 receiver role after Kenny Britt’s torn ACL. Britt will be back and Damian Williams’ playing time may expand, leaving Washington as a candidate to be overvalued in 2012 fantasy drafts.