ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins felt good about their passing game, regardless of who left or who stayed, in part because of receiver Jamison Crowder. He wasn’t their only reason for hope – tight end Jordan Reed and running back Chris Thompson joined that list.

The production hasn’t yet lived up to the hope. There’s reason to believe, though, that that soon will change. Crowder said his hamstring, which has bothered him since training camp, is feeling much better.

“A few games it’s been a factor,” Crowder said. “But I feel great now. I feel 100 percent.”

And that could lead to this:

“You’ll see more of Jamison Crowder, hopefully,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “He is one of our best skill players. We have got to get him more involved in the offense. That is partly my fault, to get more balls targeted for him.

“We anticipate him being more productive, without a doubt.”

It could start this week. Sunday’s opponent, San Francisco, has allowed 13.03 yards per catch to players aligned in the slot this season (six teams are worse), especially between the numbers and the hash marks. That’s where Crowder does good work, with 66 career catches for a 13.06 yards per catch average and four touchdowns, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

The Redskins can spread the ball around – and have. They’re also running more. Still, through four games, Crowder has caught 14 passes for 106 yards and no touchdowns. At this time last season, Crowder had 18 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

In his first two seasons combined, quarterback Kirk Cousins owned a 105.4 passer rating while throwing to Crowder. This season? It’s 65.4. Some of that reflects the small sample size as well as having no touchdowns to one interception on passes thrown to him.

But Crowder’s yards per attempt have dropped, too. Cousins averaged 8.34 yards his first two seasons throwing to him; this year it’s 5.84. In some cases, that stems from seeing coverages that enable the defense to keep Crowder in front of them, limiting yards after the catch.

The offense has moved the ball – the Redskins are eighth in yards per game and seventh in yards per play. But Crowder can make plays, which is why they want to get him the ball more.

“Whether it’s quick game, whether it’s getting the ball out in space somehow, bubble screen, whatever it might be,” Gruden said, “I have got to get the ball to him in space more often and get him in the flow early. Jordan Reed is the same way.”

Banged up

Crowder injured his hamstring in training camp, causing him to miss time. He also dealt with a hip flexor that made him questionable before the season opener. His hamstring made him questionable before facing Kansas City in Week 4.

“It was not having that explosion that I was used to having,” Crowder said. “I was able to play through the few games it was nagging me, but I definitely wouldn’t say I was 100 percent.”

Crowder has been getting open. In the season opener, he was free on a deep in-route, with a corner behind him but no one in front. But Cousins’ throw was too high for the 5-foot-8 Crowder to corral. Later in the same game, Crowder had a step on the corner down the field while facing man coverage with no help. The pass was five yards overthrown.

He’s shown his quickness in space, too, taking a third-and-17 slip screen for 21 yards in Week 2 vs. the Los Angeles Rams. Also in that game: Crowder quickly turned upfield on a third-and-6 for an 8-yard gain. He also gained 18 yards on a second-and-17 thanks in part to creating space after a hard stem to the outside fooled the defender.

Different plan

Kansas City played Washington differently than others, taking away the passes that work best for Crowder. But his presence mattered. On Terrelle Pryor’s 44-yard touchdown catch, the corner received no safety help (it might not have mattered) because Crowder’s route down the seam grabbed his attention. There were other times, too, when the Chiefs doubled Crowder, giving other targets better chances.

“Some teams key in on you on certain plays or certain situations,” Crowder said. “Third down or whatever it may be. When I get the opportunities, I have to take advantage of it.”

The Chiefs’ game plan took Crowder and Thompson away. They used a lot of help underneath, thanks in part to more three-man rushes with defenders dropping over the middle. Indeed, Crowder wasn’t targeted until the final play of the game. He also was rarely open.

“The Chiefs were a little bit different,” Gruden said. “It was hard to get the ball to Chris and Jamison.”

But Crowder is looking forward to the final 12 games, thanks to a well-timed bye week -- at least for him.

“I feel good,” he said. “You have your nicks. I’m trying to do a good job taking care of my body to avoid it. Sometimes it happens. I’d rather have them early than later. I feel I’m healthy now. That’s a plus.”