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Taylor Heinicke’s Week 14 performance vs. the Dallas Cowboys was forgettable. Not only did Heinicke complete just 11 of 25 passes for 122 yards, but he also suffered multiple injuries to his knee and elbow. Heinicke left the game early in the fourth quarter and did not return.
With everything else going in Washington, such as 18 players currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list and multiple key players hurt, Heinicke’s situation is one to monitor ahead of Sunday’s game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.
Heinicke was listed on Washington’s injury report Wednesday, but he participated fully in practice.
After practice, Heinicke spoke with the media and is optimistic he’ll be ready for Sunday.
“I feel good,” Heinicke said. “Just a little banged up, a little sore, I feel good. I should be fine on Sunday. I feel good today at practice. Everything’s pretty smoothly on right now.”
Heinicke said the elbow is more of a problem than the knee of the two injuries.
Definitely the elbow. There’s some bruising there and it’s tender and hurts a little bit. The knee, the knee thank God is fine. Dude’s helmet just hit me right there on the kneecap, bruised it a little bit, but nothing structurally bad. I went out to practice today. I threw the ball and elbow didn’t hurt while I was throwing. All around good news.
Washington needs Heinicke more than ever Sunday. Currently holding onto the No. 7 spot in the NFC playoff picture, Washington faces a Philadelphia team with an identical 6-7 record. Two straight losses would put Washington on the outside looking in with three games to play.
Heinicke playing is one thing. Washington needs him to play well. For a beat-up Washington team to have a chance to win Sunday, it will require a strong running game and an efficient performance from Heinicke. Before Sunday’s disastrous effort, Heinicke had turned in four consecutive quality starts — all Washington wins.
The odds are stacked against Washington in Week 15, but a healthy Heinicke gives the team a chance.