Josh Doctson off to another slow start; Redskins feel breakout around the corner

ASHBURN — Josh Doctson had his best game of the season in Sunday’s win against the Dallas Cowboys — so much so that his coach, Jay Gruden, said the Redskins are just “scratching the surface” with the wide receiver.

Doctson’s stat line? Three catches, 42 yards.

In his third season, the former first-rounder is off to another slow start. And while the Redskins were encouraged after the Cowboys game, Doctson’s story remains much of the same ahead of this week’s matchup against the New York Giants: Fans, teammates and coaches are still waiting for him to break out.

Since being drafted with the 22nd overall pick in 2016, Doctson has just 44 receptions for 678 yards and six touchdowns. He has 11 catches for 110 yards in five games this year.

“I know people probably don’t believe me but [the plays] are going to come for him,” Gruden said. “I know Josh is working extremely hard.”

Doctson’s work ethic did pay off against the Cowboys. He forced his way open, breaking free on slant routes and up the seam. His three catches were all over 10 yards.

The plays were also needed. Washington was without three of its top playmakers Sunday, with Jamison Crowder (ankle), Paul Richardson (shoulder, knee) and Chris Thompson (rib, knee) all sidelined.

Even with a surprisingly-effective Adrian Peterson-led rushing attack, the Redskins know they contributions from the passing game. That’s why quarterback Alex Smith has to find chemistry with his receivers.

For a game, at least, the Smith-Doctson pairing showed potential.

“He stepped up, was aggressive to the football, aggressive with his releases,” Smith said of Doctson. “I thought he played really, really, big for us when we needed him and obviously, we’re hoping to build on that.”

Establishing a rhythm for Doctson, however, has been a challenge.

The 23-year-old has followed the most productive games of his career with absolute clunkers. After last season’s four-catch, 81-yard performance against the New Orleans Saints, for instance, Doctson had just two receptions for 28 yards against the Giants. 81 yards, by the way, is Doctson’s career high in a game.

Doctson, too, has yet to grab more than four passes in a game.

Some of this could be related to Gruden’s offense. The coach takes pride in the number of options the Redskins have and even quipped in training camp that it would be hard for one of his players to have a “fantasy football superstar year.”

But in Richmond, Gruden said Doctson would be a threat in the red zone. So far, that hasn’t panned out. The 23-year-old has yet to score — and has been targeted just twice inside the 20.

In general, the offense has underwhelmed. The Redskins rank 24th in passing efficiency, according to Football Outsiders, and Smith is averaging just 230.5 yards per game.

Still, Doctson will always receive a lot of the scrutiny — given his lack of production and injury history.

Already this season, some fans were clamoring for the Redskins to trade Doctson after he missed the Saints game with a heel injury. Those fans became even more incensed after Gruden said Doctson’s heel would likely bother him for the rest of the season, even as the receiver returned to action.

Doctson, of course, missed all but two games of his rookie season with an Achilles injury.

“Guys, they’re hard on him,” Richardson said. “He’s battled with injury when he came into the NFL. … That kid talented. We don’t ask to be hurt. We’ve gotta play the cards that we’re dealt.”

Richardson, like Doctson, knows what it likes to be criticized for being injured.

With the Seattle Seahawks, Richardson tore his ACL in a 2015 playoff game, missed the first eight weeks of the following season and then suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in his first game back.

“How he’s overcome the negativity off the field, I’m just proud of him, man,” Richardson said. “Especially seeing with Crowder and me being out now … I think he’s doing great, man. I’m really waiting for him to break out this year. For real. I think he’s got a chance to.”