LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. - The injury report for the Washington Redskins is making head coach Jay Gruden rethink the team's approach as they get ready for their game against another division rival, the Dallas Cowboys.
Brandon Scherff reacts to an injury against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Gruden gave the team an extra day off this week from practice to heal the wounds. When the team returned to the field Thursday, only one starting offensive lineman was healthy enough to participate in practice.
“Yeah, it has its challenges, that’s for sure," head coach Jay Gruden told reporters. "You know, you walk out of the tunnel with [Spencer] Long, [Ty] Nsekhe, [Brandon] Scherff, [Trent] Williams and [Morgan] Moses and those guys aren’t practicing, it’s a little bit different when you go in the huddle. Guys have to step up. We signed Tony [Bergstrom] yesterday to help alleviate the need at center. Chase [Roullier] is ready to go at center. We’ve got Tyler Catalina who has been here. Shawn Lauvao’s still healthy. We have some guys in here that are ready to roll if need be.”
Notable injuries to Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Spencer Long, and Trent Williams has the burgundy & gold frantically finding ways to protect quarterback Kirk Cousins.
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
“I don’t have any linemen, so there will have to be some changes made,” Gruden said in a conference call to the press on Tuesday. “The majority of these guys will run through a brick wall for the Washington Redskins, that’s for sure, that’s why I love this group. But I also have to be smart and make sure I understand that this is a long year and I’ve got to make sure that these guys are healthy.”
This could not be a worse time for the Redskins to start a waiting line to the training room. A win over the Cowboys (3-and-3 overall, 1-and-0 division) would give the 'Skins sole possession of 2nd place in the NFC East. Lurking for Washington after its date with Dallas? the Seattle Seahawks (4-and-2), Minnesota Vikings (5-and-2), and New Orleans Saints (4-and-2).
Cornerback Josh Norman returned to practice Thursday, albeit in a limited basis. He's missed the last two games with a fractured rib.
