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It’s been another tough season for Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner. Washington’s goals entering the 2021 offseason centered around finding stability at quarterback and finding more playmakers opposite of Terry McLaurin.
In May, after the NFL draft ended, it looked like Turner had surrounded McLaurin, running backs Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic and tight end Logan Thomas with several new playmakers.
First, there was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in free agency, immediately followed by wide receivers Curtis Samuel and Adam Humphries. In the NFL draft, Washington added wide receiver Dyami Brown and tight end John Bates.
Things were supposed to be much easier for Turner in 2021, after dealing with injuries across the board in his first season as offensive coordinator.
Well, as you know, things haven’t worked out the way Washington or Turner envisioned. The WFT lost Fitzpatrick for the season in the second quarter of Week 1, while Samuel has been in and [mostly] out of the lineup with a groin issue. After Samuel’s recent return, he’s now battling a hamstring injury.
Washington has gotten five games from Curtis Samuel. In those five games, Samuel has six receptions for 27 yards and four rushes for 11 yards.
What about Brown? Glad you asked. The rookie has nine receptions for 87 yards in 11 games. Remember the hype about him being a fantasy sleeper?
Then there is Logan Thomas. Washington’s starting tight end was brilliant before he was injured — both times. Now, he’s lost for the season due to a cheap shot. Humphries has given Washington 33 receptions for 341 yards.
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke has mostly been good for Washington. He’s had some stinkers, such as his Week 14 performance vs. Dallas, but overall, Heinicke has helped win games.
Heading into Tuesday’s critical NFC showdown against the Eagles, Samuel will miss another game. It also looks like McKissic, who missed the last two games with a concussion, will also not play. Now, there’s a possibility tight end Ricky Seals-Jones could miss the game, too.
Ouch.
Bates has done a good job this season. Consider that he wasn’t expected to play a significant role in 2021. While it’s not ideal now, Bates will benefit from this time in 2022 and beyond.
Meanwhile, McLaurin enters Week 15, coming off a concussion. Expect McLaurin to see plenty of double teams Tuesday. The Eagles will make players like Humphries, Brown, or Cam Sims beat them, and rightfully so.
A more significant concern for Washington is who will start at quarterback? Will Heinicke and/or Kyle Allen clear COVID protocols in time for Tuesday’s game?
If not, it looks like freshly signed Garrett Gilbert will be under center for a critical December division game.
So, the next time you criticize Turner, remember what he’s had to do without during his tenure as offensive coordinator.