Hogs Haven
ESPN
During a timeout before the Washington Commanders’ final play from scrimmage Sunday, quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Deebo Samuel were seen on camera passing the time by rehearsing their touchdown dance.
About a minute later, they were performing their skit in the end zone after Daniels connected with Samuel on a fourth-and-goal from the 8-yard line in Washington’s 27-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
That moment highlights the strong connection Samuel and Daniels have developed. And it’s one reason why Samuel is off to such a great start in his first season with Washington following an offseason trade from San Francisco.
Samuel, who was exchanged for a 2025 fifth-round pick, leads the Commanders (3-2) with 30 receptions, 300 yards and three touchdowns heading into Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC). No other Commander has more than 14 receptions or 149 yards. He has also rushed seven times for 46 yards.
Samuel is also averaging 36.8 yards on six kick returns, though with McLaurin and Brown sidelined he hasn’t returned kicks since Week 3.
It helps that Samuel is versatile, just as he was in San Francisco for six seasons. There are some differences, though: In Washington, he has run more routes out of the slot (72) than outside (35). With the 49ers last year, he ran 118 routes out of the slot and 223 outside. He’s also averaging just 1.4 carries per game, which would be the fewest since his rookie season of 2019.
Samuel has a target rate of 30.2% this season — the highest of his career and fifth among receivers who have run at least 100 routes. Last year it was 21.3%; his career best was 26.3% in 2021 when he also finished with a career-best 1,405 yards receiving.
Some of this stems from missing McLaurin and Brown, as well as third-down back Austin Ekeler, who is out for the year with a torn right Achilles. But even in the three games with McLaurin, Samuel’s target rate was 28% — and he led the team with 16 receptions.
Samuel is on pace for 1,176 yards from scrimmage, which would be the second most in his career. That is, if he plays a full season, which he has yet to do in his career. Still, he’s averaging 16 more yards per game than in 2024.
The Athletic (paywall)
He arrived at Rice in 2021 and again competed for the starting job at quarterback. After nine games and three starts, he decided another change was needed — but not the school.
He asked to switch to receiver.
“For me, I really saw a difference in Luke when he came back,” said former Rice receivers coach Mike Kershaw, who is now the GM at Kennesaw State. “I think when he came...
