For the last year-and-a-half, the Redskins and their fans largely had only two things on which to base their opinions of Doctson: the potential offered by his college body of work and weeks upon weeks of injury-related setbacks that kept him off the field.

Coaches and teammates have offered praise for Doctson’s skill-set based on the snapshots offered in practice drills. They described him as a natural receiver, with big play ability. Some observers called Doctson the best receiver on the team. But a lack of extensive time on the grass still left coaches uncertain as to Doctson’s full capabilities and reliability.

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So, for two weeks, he primarily served as a decoy. He played only sparingly in Week 1 and didn’t receive a target in that loss to the Eagles. In Week 2, Doctson took the field almost exclusively on run plays, where coaches used him as a downfield blocker, and he received only one target, a poorly-timed fade route.

The limited role proved surprising because leading up to Week 1, Coach Jay Gruden and quarterback Kirk Cousins had both gushed about the wideout’s potential. But when asked about the lack of activity, Gruden explained Doctson had to further prove himself in practices.

Doctson’s role largely went unchanged during the first half of Sunday night’s win over the Raiders. Not until the third quarter did he receive a target, and he dropped that pass. But later the same quarter, Doctson delivered.

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Doctson’s number actually was called by accident. Terrelle Pryor was the intended primary target, but he hadn’t yet beaten his defender when Cousins dropped back and looked to pass. So, the quarterback shifted to Doctson.

“I looked back over to Josh, and [safety Reggie Nelson] was getting deep as well, but I do like Josh’s ball skills and his ability to catch the ball up in the air, and I thought, ‘You know what, I’m going to give him a chance. They have been asking me to give him that chance and let’s give it to him.’ It was scary when it left my hand because I still see David Amerson going up, he’s got the ball skills too and Josh made me right, but that play can go either way you know? That’s why this game is so tough.”

The typically understated Doctson was asked what he saw on the play and, he said, “Just the ball. Opportunity”

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He offered little insight on the way he attacked the ball to beat Amerson for the catch.

“It’s natural, man. That’s how body goes, man,” he said. “It’s just God-given talent. It’s not much. Just attack the ball.”

Doctson was more emotional at the time of the play. He jumped up after getting tripped by Nelson after scoring and yelled in celebration while spiking the ball. Teammates rushed downfield to congratulate Doctson, and as Redskins fans danced to the fight song, Cousins looked at them in the stands and pointed to Doctson as if to say, “Did you see? He did it! This is what we’ve been waiting for!”

The Redskins have waited. That 52-yard reception produced Doctson’s first touchdown, and it was only his third catch and on his 10th NFL target. Last season, while still dealing with Achilles’ tendon injuries, Doctson recorded a 57-yard catch (he didn’t score on that play) and a nine-yard grab. He then missed the final 14 games, unable to get Achilles’ tendon strains to heal.

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Team officials took a gamble when they let Garcon (their physical possession receiver) and Jackson (the elite deep threat) sign elsewhere this offseason, but they believed a healthy Doctson would offer a blend of both receivers’ games.

Coach Ike Hilliard has said Doctson can run every route in the tree, and he can line up at any of the three receiver positions. But the hamstring and groin strains of the preseason led to the reservations in Gruden’s mind, and by the sounds of it, Cousins’s mind as well.

The Redskins have needed someone to step up at one of the outside receiver positions. Jamison Crowder starts there, but he’s best operating out of the slot. Terrelle Pryor — signed this offseason as a free agent — has yet to find comfort and consistency in Washington’s offense. And while Ryan Grant is steady, he has his limitations. Washington has talented tight ends in Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis and Niles Paul and a dynamic pass-catching back in Chris Thompson. But every offense needs a well-rounded, chain-moving, field-stretching wide receiver, and a healthy Doctson offers just that. Such ability will enable Gruden to open the playbook even further and provide another threat defenses will struggle to counteract.

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But first comes the trust.

“That’s exactly it,” Gruden said, “And that’s something that’s got to continue to develop because Josh can do things not many people can do when the ball is in the air. He can track it, he can go get it, and he can leap and high-point it like he proved last night. I think with that will hopefully come more opportunity for him to make plays down the field on the ball where he looks like he might be covered but Kirk might give him a chance. Hopefully it won’t lead to interceptions, but Josh will make plays for him. We’ll give him more opportunities.”

Cousins put his trust in Doctson on Sunday, and Doctson rewarded him accordingly.

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The receiver made no bold proclamations about his expectations going forward. But he does think his big catch provided something much-needed for Cousins going forward.

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“Now he’s got the trust,” Doctson said.