When Jaylin Lane fell to the Washington Commanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, to say that they were excited to get the former Virginia Tech standout would be an understatement.
Lane impressed in team workouts leading into training camp over the summer, and then in camp, he continued to open some eyes. The Commanders and head coach Dan Quinn have been using him as a wide receiver in Kliff Kingsbury's offense, and he is also returning kicks.
It's easy to see why using him on kicks makes sense, as he has electric speed once he gets out in the open field, something that Virginia Tech fans saw last season. Lane was forced into returning punts for the 2024 season after Tucker Holloway was lost before the season began to a season-ending injury. He returned a kick in Week 2 against Marshall for a touchdown.
He has been counted on to return kicks this season, and on Sunday, he once again returned a kick for a touchdown.
Jaylin Lane returns punt for a touchdown against Giants
The playoffs are not in the cards for the Commanders this season after a magical run last year, but Lane has been a bright spot, returning punts for Washington. In Week 3, he returned a kick 90 yards for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders at home.
On Sunday, he did it again, this time against the New York Giants. With Washington leading 13-7 late in the second quarter, he fielded a punt at the Commnaders' 37-yard line and returned for a touchdown to give his team a 19-7 lead.
83 TO THE HOUSE!
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 14, 2025
📺 #WASvsNYG FOX pic.twitter.com/elWHrmXvjt
Washington has not had many highlights this season in a year that nobody thought they would have, but injuries have played a big part in it. Lane has been a bright spot for the Commanders, returning punts.