The Washington Redskins received devastating news on Monday when Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff was lost for the season due to injury.
The Washington Redskins were poised for a big year after beginning the season 5-2. Washington, behind a much-improved defense, strong offensive line play and the legs of Adrian Peterson, appeared ready to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Unfortunately for the Redskins, their three-game winning streak ended on Sunday as they were destroyed at home by the resurgent Atlanta Falcons.
However, the bigger news in this game for Washington was the injuries. Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the loss and head coach Jay Gruden announced on Monday that Scherff would be lost for the season.
Gruden says G Brandon Scherff (torn pectoral), G Shawn Lauvao (torn ACL) and WR Paul Richardson Jr. (AC joint) will all have surgery and miss the remainder of the 2018 season.
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 5, 2018
This is a devastating blow.
Scherff is arguably, along with the Zack Martin of Dallas, the top guard in the NFL. He and fellow Pro Bowler Trent Williams are key to a very good offensive line. To make matters worse, Williams, of course, is out for up to four weeks with a thumb injury. Washington has veteran Ty Nsekhe filling for Williams.
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Sadly, though, there are no backups on the roster who could capably fill Scherff’s rather large shoes. In addition to losing Scherff, Washington also lost starting left guard Shawn Lauvao to a torn ACL. While Lauvao receives a lot of criticism, the Redskins were much better with him at left guard and Chase Roullier at center.
As if it couldn’t get any worse for the Redskins, starting wide receiver Paul Richardson is also lost for the year. The Redskins have been without slot receiver Jamison Crowder for weeks and third-down back Chris Thompson has missed time due to various injuries. Now, this offense is completely reliant on Peterson, who will have a patchwork unit blocking for him.
Quarterback Alex Smith has yet to show the Redskins they made a wise investment in him in the offseason. Now, there will be even more pressure on Smith. Losing Scherff means will cripple Washington’s ability to pull and in the screen game. Scherff was at his best in space mowing down defenders for Peterson and Thompson to run behind.
The best hope for Washington is to get Williams back in a couple of weeks and have him kick inside to guard while Nsekhe mans left tackle. Of course, Nsekhe isn’t Williams at left tackle but it answers your problem at left guard. Unfortunately, Washington would still have a massive hole at right guard and there are no reinforcements on the way there. Scherff is just too valuable.
A promising season for the Redskins could be in peril after a rash of major injuries hit them in Week 9. Can they rally around Smith and show that last week’s defensive performance was an aberration? It won’t be easy.