Washington Releases RB Lamar Miller, Activates WR Curtis Samuel

After agreeing to a one-year contract with the Washington Football Team in March, running back Lamar Miller was released and wide receiver Curtis Samuel was activated on Sunday.

After missing the 2019 season with a torn left ACL, Miller bounced from the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Washington in 2020. He made just one appearance in a game. Miller had two receptions for six yards in the Bears’ 19-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 16. Miller rushed three times for 14 yards and caught three passes for 10 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s 22-13 preseason loss to the New England Patriots on Thursday.

Samuel, who signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract in March after playing his first four NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers, joined the team at practice Sunday after being activated from the active/physically unable to perform list and the reserve/COVID-19 list. He had been nursing a groin injury.

Head coach Ron Rivera will take his cues from Samuel and the training staff when deciding when he’s ready to perform. "[The plan] is continuing to work on the side until he feels comfortable and ready to roll,” said Rivera. “As soon as RV [Director of Sports Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer Ryan Vermillion] gives us the all ready to go and then we'll get him going, he'll be out in the walkthroughs, he'll get a chance to see those things and work with the guys a little bit there. It's just a matter of time."

Rivera isn’t concerned about Samuel. He’s confident in what he’ll bring to the table.

"I feel very comfortable with who he is as a football player,” said Rivera. “I appreciate who he is. He'll be out there. It's just going to take a little bit of time."

"You'll see his play speed is special. You'll see it's very similar to the way [WR] Terry [McLaurin] plays, very similar to the way [WR] Dyami [Brown] runs. It's different and you'll see it. One thing I love about Curtis is he's a high energy player and it spreads. His energy is infectious to his teammates and you'll feel those things when you watch him."