Just when you thought the Commanders’ season had taken all of the wild, unexpected swings it could, Friday brought another major surprise.
The Commanders were all set to start Jacoby Brissett Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers because Sam Howell, who started all 15 games this season, has struggled enough the past two weeks that Ron Rivera and Eric Bieniemy both felt he needed to sit.
Suddenly, on Thursday, Brissett apparently tweaked a hamstring. Trainer Al Bellamy reportedly treated Brissett, and Friday morning during practice, Brissett was still tight. It was apparently significant enough of a tweak that the Commanders are saying Brissett is now questionable for Sunday’s game.
After running back Chris Rodriguez displayed he is indeed a tough runner against both the Rams and the Jets, he came up lame late in New York. Thursday, the team went ahead and placed Rodriguez on the Injured Reserve list, ending his season. They could have used his running the final two weeks of the season, considering the defenses they will face in the 49ers and Cowboys.
Brian Robinson Jr. has been nursing a hamstring injury of his own, and Jonathan Williams suffered a concussion against the Rams, as both missed the Jets game. Rodriguez showed enough that he will be missed and it would have been great to get him more carries and rest Robinson another week.
Now Washington is thinning out at running back. Robinson plans to play on Sunday, with Antonio Gibson in the mix as usual. Former Kansas City Chief running back Derrick Gore was recently signed off the practice squad. Rivera offered no update on Williams.
If that wasn’t enough, Benjamin St-Juste and Percy Butler also missed practice Friday, as well as starters Charles Leno and Tyler Larsen from the offensive line. All are out for Sunday’s game. Even worse, Washington’s best defensive back, Kendall Fuller, is also out.
Sunday’s game against the 49ers could get out of control pretty quickly.
