24 Dwayne Washington RB

Washington (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game versus the Raiders, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Washington was lifted from the COVID-19 list last Thursday, but he'll sit out while Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray and Ty Montgomery suit up for the primetime game.

The Saints activated Washington (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

After an 18-day stay on the list, Washington rejoined his teammates on the practice field and avoided Thursday's injury report entirely. It'll be interesting to see if he's active in his first potential game action of the season Sunday at Las Vegas, especially with Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray and Ty Montgomery in front of him on the depth chart.

The Saints placed Washington on the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday, Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com reports.

It's unclear whether Washington has contracted the virus or come in contact with someone who has, but he'll need to pass the necessary protocols to return to the team. Washington is fighting to retain a depth role after the Saints signed Ty Montgomery and undrafted free agent Tony Jones this offseason.

Washington re-signed with the Saints on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Washington appeared in all 16 of the Saints' regular-season contests in 2019, playing a core role on special teams while contributing as a depth option out of the backfield. Across that span, he carried the ball eight times for 60 yards and caught his only target for six yards. He stands to play a similar role behind Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray in 2020.

Washington rushed eight times for 60 yards and caught his only target for six yards while suiting up in all 16 of the Saints' regular-season contests in 2019.

Washington ends his second year in New Orleans with the fewest touches of his career, as Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray combined to miss just two games and consistently worked ahead of him. Despite his lack of involvement on offense, Washington was able to avoid the inactive list throughout the season thanks to his ability to contribute on the Saints' coverage units on special teams. An impending free agent, Washington could be retained by New Orleans if he's willing to accept a third-string role, though the 25-year-old may be more inclined to look to land in a situation that presents a clearer path to snaps out of the backfield.

Washington (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

Washington was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, but he now looks back to full health. He'll serve as the No. 3 running back behind Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray during Sunday's wild-card clash against the Vikings.

Washington (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

The specifics surrounding the knee injury remain unclear, however, the fact that Washington is on the injury report is a negative sign. Expect his practice availability throughout the week to shed a light on his chances to suit up Sunday. If he can't go, his absence will leave just Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray as healthy running backs.

Washington carried three times for 20 yards in the Saints' 34-7 win over the Colts on Monday.

Washington recorded his first touches since Week 8, providing some relief work in the blowout victory. As long as Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray are healthy, Washington is unlikely to carry fantasy value outside of the deepest leagues.

Washington did not garner an offensive snap during Sunday's 26-9 loss to Atlanta.

Between Alvin Kamara's return and the Saints playing from behind, Washington was relegated to special-teams duty after earning four total touches during Kamara's two-game absence. Washington saw the field for just seven offensive snaps while Kamara was out and hasn't played on offense in any other game this season. Expect that to continue Sunday against Tampa Bay's stout run defense, which is surrendering just 3.5 yards per carry, good for third best in the league.

Washington carried three times for 38 yards in the Saints' 31-9 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday.

With the game well out of hand, Washington stepped onto the field for a few carries to kill the clock. As long as Alvin Kamara (ankle/knee) is out, Washington will be a handcuff to Latavius Murray, though he's unlikely to see much work when both Murray and Kamara are healthy.

Washington caught his only target, a six-yard gain, during Sunday's 36-25 win over Chicago.

Even with Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) on the shelf, Washington was able to muster just one offensive snap during Sunday's game, his first of the season. Though Sunday brings Arizona's 25th-ranked run defense and Kamara's status is uncertain, Washington seems likely to continue to be a special-teams contributor more than anything else.

Washington could have a role on offense with Alvin Kamara (ankle) out for Sunday's game in Chicago, Larry Holder of The Athletic reports.

Washington has played each of his 103 snaps on special teams this season, stuck behind Kamara and Latavius Murray in the backfield. Murray will handle the lead role Sunday, with Washington and Zach Zenner providing depth against a tough Chicago defense. Zenner just signed with the team Wednesday, so he's more likely to have an impact on special teams than anything else.

Washington (concussion/ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Luke Johnson of USA Today reports.

Washington exited the Saints' third preseason game with a concussion and apparently picked up an ankle injury at some point within the last two weeks, but his full activity Thursday suggests he's moved past both issues. The 25-year-old will enter the season third on the depth chart at running back, a role that won't afford him many offensive snaps while both Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray are at full strength.

Washington sustained a concussion in Saturday's preseason matchup with the Jets, Luke Johnson of USA Today reports.

It's unclear how long Washington will need to recover and pass through the league's concussion protocol. The 25-year-old carried the ball eight times for 29 yards (3.6 YPC) before exiting the game. While Washington's sidelined, Jacquizz Rodgers seems to be the candidate to receive extra reps.

Washington carried the ball five times for 30 yards and failed to bring in his only target in Sunday's preseason win over the Chargers.

While the 25-year-old led all Saints running backs with a 6.0 YPC on the day, he also committed a major gaffe in the red zone, letting a very catchable Teddy Bridgewater pass clank off his hands for an interception. Washington is currently the No. 3 RB behind Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, but he can't afford too many more mental errors if he wants to keep that spot.

Washington will try to fend off competition for the No. 3 running-back job from Javorius Allen, Matthew Dayes and undrafted rookie Devine Ozigbo during training camp, Rod Walker of The New Orleans Advocate reports.

Washington is the incumbent, coming off a 2018 campaign in which he logged 173 snaps on special teams and 46 on offense in 13 games. The highlight of his season was an 11-carry, 108-yard performance against the Panthers in Week 17, when New Orleans rested most of its starters to get ready for the playoffs. The experience on special teams certainly helps, but Allen and Dayes probably can offer more in the passing game, while Ozigbo has more potential for development as a runner. This should be a fierce competition throughout training camp and preseason.

Washington rushed for 173 yards on 27 carries across 13 games for the Saints in 2018.

Washington averaged an impressive 5.7 yards per carry but couldn't work his way into a larger role behind Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. His most impressive game was in Week 17, when he rushed for 108 yards on 11 carries. He'll look to carve out a larger role for himself with New Orleans in 2019.

Washington ran for 108 yards on 11 carries during Sunday's 33-14 loss to Carolina.

With nothing really to play for in Week 17, the Saints gave Washington a longer look and he didn't disappoint, gashing the Panthers for a handful of nice carries, including a 26-yarder at the end of the third quarter that set up a touchdown. The third-year back entered Sunday with just 16 carries in 12 games, but maybe Sunday's strong showing can lead to a modest supporting role in the playoffs behind Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram.

Washington figures to have a major role Sunday against Carolina, but he won't necessarily get all the snaps at running back, Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com reports.

Washington is the only running back on the roster behind Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, both obvious candidates to be rested in a meaningless game. With Teddy Bridgewater already confirmed as the starting quarterback, it's best to assume Kamara and Ingram will either play sparsely or not at all. If the team doesn't sign another backfield option before Sunday's game, Washington could find himself handling a high-volume role, albeit in an offense that's also using backups at a number of other positions. For what it's worth, there's been chatter about the Panthers resting some key players before the end of Sunday's game, though they surely won't be as cautious as the playoff-bound Saints. Washington has an impressive combination of size and speed, but he's never displayed much value on offense, primarily working as a short-yardage specialist or mop-up player while averaging just 2.8 yards on 126 career carries.

Washington lost three yards on three carries in Sunday's win against the Eagles.

Washington handled mop-up duties in a big Saints win for the second week in a row, though the third-string running back had less success than he did in Week 10 when he gained 47 yards on 11 carries. Almost exclusively a special-teams player, Washington is not a fantasy option so long as Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara remain healthy.