DETROIT — After fumbling on his first punt return against the Detroit Lions, former Western Michigan wide receiver D’Wayne “Dee” Eskridge knew he had to forget about the early error at Ford Field.
The current Miami Dolphins receiver and specialist is fighting to secure a spot on the team’s 53-man roster, after spending the beginning of last season on their practice squad and making sporadic appearances.
The 2020 second-team All-American, who got his notice playing some two hours west of Detroit in Kalamazoo, continued his preseason showcase by finishing out the game with three catches for 53 yards and the game’s first touchdown.
“I definitely had to throw that play away so it wouldn’t affect any other plays,” Eskridge told MLive. “It shows what type of player I am, shows how invested I am, and just being the best that I can be for the team. It’s something I didn’t want to happen. At the same time, it happens in football, so it’s just a testament to just the culture.”
Flushing his early fumble didn’t go unrecognized from the Dolphins’ coaching staff.
“One of my favorite things that I talk to my team about all the time is the plays after something happens that you don’t like,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “For (Eskridge) to go back and not blink and to be competitive and utilize his technique and fundamentals, I was very happy.
“That’s a not an easy thing to do, but what I’m always looking for are those guys to see how they respond to adversity, because it’s not if, but when. So it was good for him to get that opportunity and take advantage of it.”
Saturday’s 24-17 victory over the Lions wasn’t Eskridge’s first time playing at Ford Field. He made an appearance in 2022 as a member of the Seattle Seahawks and was a freshman for Western Michigan in the 2016 MAC Championship game at the venue.
Over his five-year career with the Broncos, Eskridge amassed 2,260 yards on 122 catches and 15 touchdowns.
WMU football's Dee Eskridge
Western Michigan's D'Wayne Eskridge (7) runs the ball during a game against Idaho at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo on Saturday, Sept 16, 2017. (Mike Clark | MLive.com)
In a COVID-shortened senior season, Eskridge totaled 784 yards and eight touchdowns in six games while earning MAC Special Teams Player of the Year, First-team All-MAC and second-team All-American honors.
Eskridge’s biggest against the Lions came on third-and-long for the Dolphins. Out of a timeout, Miami decided to throw a screen to the Bluffton, Indiana native and he patiently weaved his way 27 yards into the Detroit red zone.
Two plays later, quarterback Zach Wilson found Eskridge for an 11-yard score.
It was a special day for Eskridge, who said he had more friends and family at the game than he’s used to for a road matchup.
Adding to the “amazing experience,” Eskridge said that he even spotted fans in the stands — who he didn’t know — wearing his No. 7 Western Michigan jersey.
“It feels like home every time (I play in Michigan),” Eskridge said. “You know, me going to Western Michigan a lot of my close people, they live in Detroit right now. It’s just another home for me, for sure.”
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