The Washington Commanders benched quarterback Sam Howell midway through the fourth quarter in their Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
On first-and-10 from its 25-yard line, Howell, who was under pressure, rolled to his right and looked downfield to wide receiver Terry McLaurin. However, the ball was off target, and McLaurin got one hand on it, but it bounced into the waiting arms of a Rams defensive back.
It was Howell’s first turnover of the day. After the play, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy spoke with Howell, and when the Washington offense took the field next, Jacoby Brissett was at quarterback.
With a new left tackle (Cornelius Lucas) and center (Nick Gates), Brissett promptly led the Commanders down the field and found McLaurin for a touchdown.
While we’ll have to wait until after the game to receive word on Howell’s status, this appeared to be more of Washington’s coaches just sitting Howell for the game’s duration than an outright benching.
