Two things were clear at the end of the Redskins game against the Chiefs on Monday night, Washington had not only lost the game, they had lost some personnel as well. The two went hand-in-hand. They will benefit greatly from an early season bye week, as the extra time will obviously allow some injuries to heal enough to play. How those injuries progress will affect the team Washington can field, and subsequently, the Redskins odds for the next game.
With the bye, Washington don’t play again until October 15th against the San Francisco 49ers. The Redskins had this game highlighted on the calendar already, as they will be facing former coach Kyle Shanahan, and it will be Pierre Garcon’s first time back at Fed Ex Field since leaving in the offseason.
Josh Norman is obviously Washington’s biggest injury concern at the moment. When he didn’t return to the lineup against Kansas City, you knew it was significant. Turned out it was a broken rib – an injury that could keep him sidelined anywhere from a couple of weeks to up to six. It will be up to Norman how quickly he returns, and based on pain tolerance Coach Jay Gruden told the media.
Obviously the Redskins would love to have Norman when they go against Garcon. The 49ers are currently 0-4, and if they lose to the Colts this weekend, will be heading into Fed Ex without a win. As much as Norman could help with Garcon, he’s not as important against San Francisco, as he is the following two weeks in the divisional games in Philadelphia and against Dallas. His status was originally listed as questionable but has been changed to ‘out’, so take from that what you will.
Norman isn’t the only Redskin suffering from a rib injury, tight end Jordan Reed and linebacker Martrell Spaight are both also nursing rib injuries, and are listed as questionable for the 49ers matchup. Reed already had the injury heading into the game with Kansas City and was fit enough to play, but he was also very limited in both his use, and effectiveness. Vernon Davis has been excellent in place of Reed, and Washington may again choose to give Reed an extra week to heal up for the big divisional games.
Spaight got knicked in the Chiefs game, but did manage to get back out on the field. He’s played really well and Washington would love to see him recovered and playing against San Fran, but linebacker is a position that the Redskins can afford to give someone an extra week off if need be.
Safety Deshazor Everett rounds out the defensive players that are questionable for the 49ers, as he picked up a hamstring injury in KC.
On top of Reed on the offensive side of the ball, Washington may be without receiver Josh Doctson and running back Rob Kelley. Kelley seems to be a walking disaster area already, but his ankle is listed as what’s potentially holding him out of the lineup. Doctson has a shoulder injury.
Trent Williams had an MRI this week, and his knee injury isn’t serious. He got hurt in the first quarter of the Chiefs game, but it was an aggravation of an injury that he suffered back in training camp. He’s currently listed as questionable for the 49ers.
It’s conceivable that none of the four offensive players play – that would take the starting left tackle, tight end and running back out of the lineup – as well as the number two receiver.
If the 49ers team that rolls into Fed Ex is still without a victory, count on them trying to expose the Redskins injury problems to find a way to win.