Jay Gruden Says Pierre Garcon Needs More Touches

Washington’s single-season reception leader, Pierre Garcon, has been forgotten by the offense in last three games

Where have you gone, Pierre Garcon? The star wideout for the Washington Redskins, the same one that set the single-season franchise record for receptions last season at 113, has just eight catches in the last three games combined.

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That is a trend that Washington head coach Jay Gruden says needs to change. Gruden said “sometimes the coverage predicates it. Sometimes he’s a featured guy and Kirk doesn’t see him, or he gets pressured of what have you….but we do have to make sure we get him more touches early in games.”

Garcon caught 113 passes for 1,346 yards and five touchdowns last year. This year, he has 30 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns, but he has had a 10-catch and 11-catch performance in two of those six games. Meaning that he has nearly disappeared entirely for four games.

Everyone knew this was a possibility when Gruden was hired as the head coach and big play wide receiver DeSean Jackson was brought in via free agency, but I don’t think anyone predicted that he would end up on the NFL‘s version of a milk carton.

Washington’s week six loss to the Cardinals was the first time that all three weapons in the passing game, Garcon, Jackson, and TE Jordan Reed, were on the field at the same time. Jackson stole the show with three catches for 115 yards and a long touchdown. Reed caught eight passes for 92 yards. Garcon had just four catches, but did score in the game.

Perhaps the return of everyone else can help Garcon get open more, but Gruden also needs to find room for him in the playbook as well for the Redskins to turn around their 1-5 start.

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