Just when the Washington Football Team thought it was getting healthy for the season’s final stretch run, the team received a string of bad news over the last several days.
First, there was tight end Logan Thomas going on season-ending injured reserve after last week’s dirty hit in only his second game back. Next, there was defensive end Montez Sweat, who the WFT expected to return in Week 14 from a fractured jaw. However, Sweat was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and is out for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
On Saturday, Washington received more bad news when defensive end James Smith-Williams and cornerback Darryl Roberts were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Linebacker Khaleke Hudson was placed on the COVID list after Sweat, meaning Washington has placed four players on the list over the last week.
Losing Smith-Williams is a tough blow for Washington. The WFT is already without Sweat and Chase Young. Now, Washington will be without its top three defensive ends for Sunday’s NFC East battle. Rookie defensive end William Bradley-King and safety Jeremy Reaves were activated from the practice squad as replacements for Smith-Williams and Roberts.
We’ve made multiple roster moves:
– CB Darryl Roberts & DE James Smith-Williams placed on Reserve/COVID-19 List
– G Wes Schweitzer placed on Reserve/Injured List– C Jon Toth signed from practice squad
– K Lirim Hajrullahu signed to practice squad pic.twitter.com/s0NsA87Y6c— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) December 11, 2021
In more bad news, guard/center Wes Schweitzer was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Schweitzer is a backup but has started most of Washington’s games over the last two years and is a critical reserve.
Washington signed center Jon Toth from the practice squad to replace Schweitzer on the roster.
Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio will now be relying on young players Casey Toohill, Daniel Wise, Shaka Toney, Bunmi Rotimi and Bradley-King Sunday to apply pressure on Dak Prescott.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys continue to receive positive injury news.
Cowboys are officially activating DE Randy Gregory (calf) and DT Neville Gallimore (elbow) from injured reserve. They’ll join the likes of LB Micah Parsons, DE DeMarcus Lawrence and CB Trevon Diggs on Sunday at Washington.
DC Dan Quinn is pleased. pic.twitter.com/GbndDalvYR
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 11, 2021