Commanders 'Feeling Pretty Good' About WR Curtis Samuel

The Commanders have been a jumpstart for the veteran's career, and 2023 should not bring regression.

The Washington Commanders got very little out of wide receiver Curtis Samuel in 2021, mainly due to a prolonged groin injury that kept the veteran off the field. But 2022 was a different story, and Ron Rivera is confident 2023 will breed the same.

"He worked through a couple of the tweaks and stuff he had and just feeling that we're feeling pretty good about what he's done," Rivera said. "So, we've kind of tried to be a little more maintenance than anything else. He'll do a lot of the warmup stuff and then we'll just settle him down.”

Samuel played in just five games two seasons ago, gaining a mere 38 all-purpose yards. Once healthy last season, he broke through. Samuel enjoyed his second-best season in his six-year career, tallying 843 yards and five touchdowns.

While the 26-year-old isn't getting any younger, there is promise in his progression. He improved every year in his first four seasons for Carolina, and only his injury-plagued 2021 has been disappointing. 

As for this fall, Samuel's number is going to be called upon quite often. He started in 12 games last season, and it's apparent he'll be back in that role alongside Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.

"Feeling pretty good" isn't the best moniker an athlete can receive from their coach, but it'll have to do in the Commanders' deep receiver room.

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