Washington placed another eight players on the Covid list today. That brings the total to eighteen in the last few days. And there is still time to go before the next game. Will there be any players left to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday?
It’s become almost comical at this juncture for Washington. At what point will the league consider re-scheduling the game? Obviously that’s a difficult proposition with so little time left in the regular season.
Here are the 18 players on the list:
Jonathan Allen, DT
Kyle Allen, QB
Troy Apke, CB
William Bradley-King, DE
Milo Eifler, LB
Darrick Forrest, S
Kendall Fuller, CB
Temarrick Hemingway, TE
Khaleke Hudson, LB
Matthew Ioannidis, DT
Cornelius Lucas, OT
David Mayo, LB
Sammis Reyes, TE
Tim Settle, DT
Cam Sims, WR
James Smith-Williams, DE
Montez Sweat, DE
Casey Toohill, DE
Eighteen players constitutes almost 40% of the line-up.
That doesn’t include any of the other players on the regular IR either.
In Washington’s case, that’s another thirteen players right now.
Defensive Line Is Decimated
The defensive line has been hit the hardest. Washington is now without 6 of their top 7 defensive linemen. That’s not including Chase Young, who is obviously already on IR.
They actually only have five warm bodies on the defensive line – defensive ends Nate Orchard, Bunmi Rotimi, and Shaka Toney, as well as defensive tackles Daron Payne and Daniel Wise.
So much for a rotation. So much for back-ups.
Secondary Not Much Better
The loss of Kendall Fuller, Troy Apke and Darrick Forrest also sends the WFT deep into their secondary line-up.
Neither of the incumbents – Corn Elder or Darryl Roberts – have played a snap in 2021 for Washington. But one or both of them will this weekend.
Unless they get put on the Covid list before then.
Enhanced COVID-19 Protocol
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via USA Today), seven teams are all in enhanced COVID-19 protocols as of Wednesday – the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Football Team.
If Thursday, Friday and Saturday are like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… then Washington will be fielding a Replacements team on Sunday at best.
Maybe Keannu Reaves can still play quarterback.
