Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera met with the media Monday and announced two injuries.
Safeties Darrick Forrest and Jeremy Reaves were both placed on the reserve injured list after suffering injuries in Thursday night’s 40-20 loss to the Chicago Bears.
“Just to give a couple of quick updates on some injuries from Thursday night,” Rivera said to begin his press conference. Darrick Forrest had a shoulder, and Jeremy Reeves had a knee, and we’ll be moving both those guys to IR. Pending further examinations, we’ll be able to determine the length.”
When asked about the specifics on the injuries, Rivera offered the following.
“Shoulder injury and knee injury. Once we get a little bit more from the doctors, we will probably be able to give you guys more in the next day or two.”
Forrest has started at safety since the start of the 2022 season, while Reaves is a backup safety but makes his presence felt on special teams. Reaves was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler on special teams last season.
While this is difficult news for the Commanders, there are a pair of young players waiting in the wings with prime opportunities.
“That’s a role that Percy [Butler] and ‘Quan’ [Martin] will be looking at,” Rivera said of Forrest’s starting safety role.
Butler is a second-year safety from Louisiana who was a fourth-round pick in 2022. He has seen plenty of action through the first five games. Martin is a rookie second-round pick who has yet to play a defensive snap.
The Commanders have allowed 30 or more points in four consecutive games and play the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.