J.D. McKissic is back and feels great about being with the Commanders.
After injuring his neck against Seattle on MNF on November 29, McKissic was out the remaining six games of the season. Washington proceeded to go 2-4 in those final six games.
“I was very excited to get back out there again and to actually make a play too, said McKissic to the media Tuesday. “It felt great.”
Being healthy and back again is not enough for the seven-year veteran. He is pushing himself. “Just be better. Make guys miss, get freaky with the ball basically, and just be better than what I was the last two years.”
Commenting on his reception Saturday against the Panthers, “…The O-line blocked it up great, and Carson [Wentz] made a great pass. It was easy. But just to stand up and feel good about it, I’m blessed. God took care of me through the whole thing (neck injury) and finally get a chance to get on the field again. It was a lot of excitement.”
Entering his third season in Washington, McKissic is supportive of Antonio Gibson. “Antonio is a motivated young man. It happens; sometimes they get the ball out. It was a crazy play. The defender made a great play. But he’s focused; he came back in the game, he came back in and ran extremely hard.”
He likes what he sees in rookie RB Brian Robinson, “He went to Alabama, he’s prepared well. He can run the football; that’s what he does. He got out and showed that. We’re excited about it. He did a fantastic job.”
A former receiver at Arkansas State, McKissic has had to make adjustments to running back. He was with Atlanta, Seattle and Detroit prior to Washington. “I was a receiver. But I was moved to a running back, so it was very hard, and I got the chance to keep getting better at it now that I’m here.”
On his fourth NFL team, McKissic likes what he sees in Carson Wentz. “He’s a great QB. We just talked about it. I’m trying to remind guys that he was an MVP candidate that year when they went to the Super Bowl. So, we’re excited about him. He looks great, and he’s doing great.”
In working against the defense every day, “Jamin (Davis) looks good. He’s flying around; he’s block shedding. When those guys go up against me, they, you know, they take it upon themselves to do the best they can. I got to kind of remind myself to not let them win sometimes. Cause once they win, I got to hear it.”
Of course, players want the ball more often, but McKissic now age 29, is accepting his role. “I’m a team player… And I’m gonna be there when my number is called, that’s how my job has been my whole life. When my number is called, I’m ready to make the play. And that’s how we all got to do. You got to be happy for the next man and go eat, you know? It’s third down. If, my number is called, hey, let’s go.”