Also on that topic of young talent, Croskey-Merritt’s draft classmate Lane had an impact performance against the Giants as the punt returner produced one of the most thrilling plays of the afternoon.
There were signs perhaps that a moment of special teams glory could be on the table for Lane when, inside the final minute of the first quarter, he identified a significant open space up the middle on his first return but ended up being brought down at the Giants’ 47-yard line.
“That one was close. We almost got through,” Lane said with a smile following the game.
Washington wasn’t left sitting with what could have been for long. Just before halftime, the Virginia Tech product collected Cameron Johnston’s punt at Washington’s 37, saw the blue sea part and sliced through for a 63-yard run to the house. It was Lane’s second punt return touchdown of the season, which ties a franchise record. He is just the fifth Washington player to score twice in a season on a punt return and the first to do it since running back Brian Mitchell in 1994. What’s more, Lane is just the second rookie with two punt return touchdowns in a single season. The last was Johnny Williams, who achieved the feat in the 1952 season.
“My goal for this year was to just dominate my role,” Lane said. “Receiver, returner, whatever role I’m given, just wanted to be my best and give that to the team and help us win games.”
Considering the rare company he’s already in and head coach Dan Quinn’s game ball delivery after this win, Lane can feel like he’s had a pretty solid rookie season by those standards.