Effective in mop-up duty

Washington gained 47 yards on 11 carries in Sunday's win against the Bengals.

Analysis: Washington, who signed with the Saints in September, had been playing exclusively on special teams prior to Sunday, and all of his touches in Cincinnati came in the fourth quarter after the Saints had built a huge lead. Washington is third on the team's running back depth chart, but absent an injury to Mark Ingram or Alvin Kamara, he remains off the fantasy radar in most leagues.

Joins active roster

Washington was signed to New Orleans' 53-man roster Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Washington joined the Saints' practice squad after being let go by the Lions at roster cutdowns. The 24-year-old had 110 carries for 309 yards (2.8 average) in two seasons with Detroit. Alvin Kamara has been the heavy workhorse with Mark Ingram suspended through Sunday's game against the Giants, and Washington's addition is unlikely to alter that significantly.

Heading to New Orleans

Washington has signed with the Saints' practice squad, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Washington was the odd man out of a crowded backfield in Detroit, even after racking up 110 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 26 touches in Thursday's preseason finale. He'll now join the Saints' practice squad, where he'll compete for a spot on the active roster.

Cut by Lions

The Lions waived Washington on Saturday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Analysis: After missing a good portion of the preseason slate, Washington racked up 110 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 26 touches Thursday, but the outing wasn't enough to secure him a spot on the 53-man roster. The 2016 seventh-rounder will now look for employment elsewhere, whether it's via the waiver system or on a practice squad.

Produces in preseason finale

Washington gained 67 yards and one touchdown over 20 carries during Thursday's preseason finale against the Browns. He also secured six of seven targets for 43 receiving yards.

Analysis: Washington dominated touches out of the backfield once Zach Zenner (back) exited the game, and the young running back wound up being one of the few bright spots for a Detroit team that was thoroughly outplayed by Cleveland all night. However, it may have been too late for Washington to make a case for a roster spot anyhow, as the Lions seem highly unlikely to carry five tailbacks on the active roster during the regular season. With that said, Thursday's performance is good tape for teams to…read more

No action Friday

Washington (undisclosed) did not appear in Friday's preseason game against the Buccaneers.

Analysis: The Lions have yet to reveal what sort of injury has kept Washington sidelined the past couple of weeks. Regardless, the running back is a longshot to make the 53-man roster at this point, and it's possible he could be waived and sent to IR before long.

Doesn't practice Thursday

Washington (undisclosed) wasn't present for the Lions' walkthrough Thursday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The details behind Washington's absence aren't known, but it's likely he's dealing with an unspecified injury. If that's the case, Washington could be withheld from the Lions' second preseason game Friday against the Giants, denying the running back an opportunity to impress the coaching staff while he remains in a tight battle for a roster berth. Washington seems to be competing with LeGarrette Blount and Zach Zenner for one spot as a bigger, short-yardage back.

Washington is expected to compete with Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner for the Lions' No. 4 running back job during training camp, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official website reports.

Analysis: With LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson and Theo Riddick all considered to be locks, the Lions seem to have three running backs fighting for one roster spot. Abdullah has the advantage in terms of draft status and backfield experience, but Washington has the best size and speed combination and Zenner is most likely to contribute on special teams coverage units. A 2016 seventh-round pick, Washington has gained just 309 yards on 110 career carries (2.8 average) and 76 yards on 12 receptions.

Washington appeared in five games during the 2017 season and rushed 20 times for 44 yards while securing both of his targets for 14 yards. He also logged 31 yards on two kickoff returns.

Analysis: Washington supplanted Zach Zenner in training camp as the Lions' No. 3 running back behind Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick, but he injured his quadriceps in Week 2 and everything went downhill from there. In fact, he appeared in just three more games thereafter, then missed time with a hip injury, and finished the season as a healthy scratch in each of the Lions' final five games. Washington, who remains under contract with Detroit in 2018, enters the offseason buried on the depth chart and…read more

Washington (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 17 tilt against the Vikings.

Analysis: Like fellow running back Zach Zenner, Washington finishes the 2017 campaign with a multi-week stretch as a healthy scratch. In Washington's case, his last game action dates all the way back to Week 10, and he'll wrap up his second NFL season with just 20 carries for 44 yards and a pair of catches for 14 more yards. Now having averaged under 3.0 yards per rush in each of his first two seasons, the 23-year-old heads into the offseason with plenty to prove if he wants to keep a roster spot in 2018.

Washington (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 16 tilt against the Bengals.

Analysis: Washington's most recent game action came in Week 10 against Cleveland, and with the trio of Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Tion Green all suiting up Sunday, he and fellow back Zach Zenner are the odd men out. Washington has been limited to five games in 2017, rushing for 44 yards on 20 carries and adding a pair of receptions for 14 yards.

Washington (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Saturday versus the Bears.

Analysis: Washington will seemingly be a healthy scratch for the final seven games of the current campaign, barring a barrage of injuries to the backfield. As evidence, he didn't play the last two weeks when Ameer Abdullah was sidelined with a neck concern. With the injury behind him, Abdullah will join Theo Riddick and Tion Green as the Lions' active running backs Saturday.

Washington (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay.

Analysis: Displeased with the state of the backfield, the Lions have deactivated Ameer Abdullah and Washington in favor of Theo Riddick and Tion Green. In a similar situation last Sunday, Riddick earned 64 percent of the offensive snaps, while Green handled 33 percent.

Washington (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game at Baltimore, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Analysis: Washington missed the last two games due to a hip injury, but his ability to practice in full this week forecast a return to action Week 13, especially with Ameer Abdullah inactive due to a neck concern. Instead, the Lions will rely on Theo Riddick to lead the backfield at the outset of the contest, with Zach Zenner and Tion Green available for reserve duty.

Washington (hip) does not have a game designation on the Lions' final injury report for Sunday's game in Baltimore.

Analysis: Washington will return from a two-game absence, potentially taking on an expanded role if Ameer Abdullah (neck-questionable) isn't able to play. While Washington would seem to be first in line for carries if Abdullah is out, history suggests the second-year back would form a volume-limiting committee with Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner.

Washington (hip) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Washington missed the past two games and also missed four games with a quad injury earlier this season. He suffered a concussion in between, but cleared the protocol in time to avoid an absence. Washington has taken 20 carries for 44 yards and two catches for 14 yards in his five appearances, mostly settling for special teams snaps and occasional short-yardage work while operating as the No. 3 back behind Ameer Abdullah (neck) and Theo Riddick. With Washington on track to return for Sunday's…read more

Washington (hip) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Vikings.

Analysis: Washington is putting together his second stretch with multiple missed games in a row this season. Thursday's absence will mark his sixth overall, but he's mostly been relegated to special-teams duty in his five appearances due to the presence of Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick in the backfield. If any player receives change-of-pace work behind the duo, it will be Zach Zenner, who has averaged just 1.6 yards per carry in 2017.

Washington (hip) wasn't present for the portion of Tuesday's practice that was open to the media, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: With Washington seemingly in line to be listed as a non-participant for the Lions' first two practices of the week, it's not looking promising that he'll be available to play Thanksgiving Day against the Vikings. If that's the case, Zach Zenner would likely be kept active again as the Lions' No. 3 running back and see most of his touches in short-yardage scenarios.

Washington (hip) was listed as non-participant on Monday's injury report, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Analysis: The Lions didn't actually practice, but even if they had, Washington apparently wouldn't have taken part. It's a strong sign he won't be ready for a Thanksgiving matchup with the Vikings.

Washington (hip) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Chicago, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Analysis: Used primarily as a short-yardage specialist, Washington has gained only 44 yards on 20 carries this season. Zach Zenner figures to handle the role Sunday in Chicago.

Washington (hip) was absent from practice Thursday.

Analysis: The Lions will see if Washington can practice in some capacity Friday, but his failure to take the field Wednesday and Thursday casts some doubt on his availability for the Week 11 matchup with the Bears. A short-yardage specialist for the Lions, Washington won't offer much fantasy appeal due to his lack of volume and poor efficiency. He's yet to score in five appearances this season, managing 44 yards on 20 carries.

Washington (hip) did not practice Wednesday.

Analysis: Washington was knocked out of last Sunday's victory over the Browns due to an unspecified hip injury. His absence Wednesday likely spelled more practice reps for Zach Zenner, who would presumably fill in for Washington against the Bears this Sunday if the second-year tailback's condition doesn't improve as the week unfolds.

Washington suffered a hip injury Sunday against the Browns and is questionable to return, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Washington's main contributions come as a kick returner, but he's been given five carries within five yards of the end zone in the last two games. If he can't return, TJ Jones will likely take over as the Lions' kick returner, but not much will change with their offensive dynamic.

Washington carried five times for one yard during Monday's 20-17 victory over the Packers.

Analysis: Washington was ineffective as a goal-line battering ram Monday. Since vulturing touchdowns is seemingly his only way of attaining fantasy relevance, Washington remains firmly out of lineup consideration until his red-zone acumen picks up. The young second-year tailback could continue to get more opportunities to prove himself going forward, though, particularly after starter Ameer Abdullah fumbled on the one-yard line.

Washington (concussion) was a full practice participant Friday.

Analysis: The upgrade from limited participation Thursday to a full session Friday puts Washington on track to play Monday against the Packers. He'll continue to fill a limited role behind Ameer Abdullah, likely get most of his work in short-yardage and goal-line situations.