Stop me if you’ve heard this before: the Washington Commanders signed a former Carolina Panther. Only this time, the former Panther did not play for Washington coach Ron Rivera.
The Commanders signed veteran wide receiver/kick returner Alex Erickson Wednesday to compete for a spot as a backup wide receiver and as a return man. Washington allowed last season’s kick and punt returner, DeAndre Carter, to leave via free agency this offseason.
Erickson, 29, is a 6-foot-0, 195-pound veteran from Wisconsin and is entering his seventh NFL season in 2022. He entered the NFL in 2016 with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent the first five seasons of his career.
Erickson signed with the Texans in March 2021 but was released just before the season. He signed with the Panthers’ practice squad and joined the active roster only one week later.
For his career, Erickson averages 24.8 yards per kickoff return and 8.1 yards per punt return. He has 96 career receptions for 1,141 yards and one touchdown as a receiver.
In addition to replacing Carter, Washington also allowed veteran Adam Humphries to depart. The Commanders have depth at wide receiver now with Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Cam Sims, Dax Milne and first-round rookie Jahan Dotson. Dotson is also an accomplished punt returner.
Welcome to the team, @ericksona86! pic.twitter.com/W9FFk0VR1G
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 4, 2022