Aside from one glaring mishap – a punt returned for a touchdown in Jacksonville, which ultimately would be negated by a game-winning Redskins field goal drive – Washington's special teams unit had an altogether impressive 2018 season.
The most notable player in that always-changing group was punter Tress Way, who finished with zero touchbacks to go along with 41 of 79 total punts downed inside the 20-yard line. He credited the entire unit, led by captain Deshazor Everett, for most of those stats, and rightly so.
Below is the complete list of defensive snap counts from the season, along with some nuggets of info:
Total (407)
- Deshazor Everett: 343
- Zach Vigil: 298
- Josh Harvey-Clemons: 295
- Jehu Chesson: 268
- Danny Johnson: 261
- Shaun Dion Hamilton: 247
- Jeremy Sprinkle: 236
- Greg Stroman: 179
- Ryan Anderson: 162
- Montae Nicholson: 151
- Tress Way: 137
- Dustin Hopkins: 125
- Tim Settle: 122
- Adonis Alexander: 117
- Nick Sundberg: 115
- Kenny Ladler: 89
- Matt Ioannidis: 81
- Byron Marshall: 80
- Kapri Bibbs: 77
- Jonathan Allen: 77
- Daron Payne: 65
- Ryan Kerrigan: 65
- Michael Floyd: 64
- Chase Roullier: 54
- Ty Neskhe: 47
- Tony Bergstrom: 47
- Brian Quick: 44
- Fabian Moreau: 41
- Samaje Perine: 39
- Matt Flanagan: 38
- Morgan Moses: 36
- Mason Foster: 36
- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: 34
- Marcus Smith: 33
- Jeremy Reaves: 30
- Maurice Harris: 26
- Brandon Scherff: 26
- Caleb Brantley: 23
- Troy Apke: 22
- Andrew East: 22
- Ziggy Hood: 19
- Rob Kelley: 18
- Trey Quinn: 16
- Austin Howard:16
- Luke Bowanko: 16
- Pernell McPhee: 13
- Alex Carter: 13
- Jonathan Cooper: 12
- Harlan Miller: 12
- Jamison Crowder: 8
- Zac Kerin: 8
- Shawn Lauvao: 8
- Stacy McGee: 8
- Casey Dunn: 6
- Joshua Holsey: 6
- Zach Brown: 3
- Chris Thompson: 2
- Preston Smith: 2
- Cam Sims: 1
- Quinton Dunbar: 1
Check out the top photos from the Redskins' 2018 regular season.
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Washington Redskins vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus / Washington Redskins)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Washington Redskins vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus / Washington Redskins)
--Special teams captain Deshazor Everett led the cause, playing about 85 percent of the total snap counts. He got occasional opportunities to rotate at safety throughout the year, including the last game of the season, but primarily served well in his role as a first-time captain.
-- A rarity, longsnapper Nick Sundberg missed the final three games of the season with a back injury. The team brought in Andrew East to finish out the year at the position and there were few issues.
-- Punter Tress Way finished the season landing 41 punts inside to 20-yard line to lead all punters in the category. His 41 punts inside the 20 yard line ranks tied for seventh all-time in the NFL in the category. Against the Eagles in the season finale, he completed a pass for seven yards to Jehu Chesson on a punt fake to convert a first down in the fourth quarter. Way has now completed two passes in as many attempts for his career. Both pass completions resulted in successful fake punts for first downs.
-- Dustin Hopkins had another strong year for the Redskins, connecting on 26-of-29 field goals and missing just one of his 26 extra points. On 70 kickoffs, 56 went for touchbacks. Hopkins recorded four field goals from 50-plus yards that also tied a single season franchise record, currently held by Graham Gano (4 in 2011), John Hall (4 in 2003) and Mark Moseley (4 in 1977). Hopkins is also tied with Chip Lohmiller (9) for second on the franchise list for career field goals made from that distance, and is four field goals shy of passing Mark Moseley for first on the all-time list.
-- Some of the standouts on special teams were gunners Jehu Chesson, Danny Johnson and Adonis Alexander, who served as primary special teamers throughout the season. As Way mentioned often, they helped him achieve many of the punts downed inside the 20-yard line with their speed and athleticism.
