2 min read • August 12, 2021
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Washington Football Team
Offense
RB Antonio Gibson -
The stud RB had a fantastic rookie season before suffering a turf toe injury that cost him two games and lingered into the final games of the season and playoffs. Despite missing two games, Gibson managed to reach the end zone 11 times, rushing for 795 yards at a healthy 4.7 yards/carry. The turf toe injury did not require surgery but he admitted he was not 100% as of June. Yes, he has fully participated in mini camp and training camp but this is definitely something to watch and reaggravation is something to keep an eye on. Gibson is tough and will play through but can he have a breakout 2nd season as many predict. An injury that is not 100% by six months is unlikely to get there by the start of the regular season, and Washington would do well to perhaps use more of a rotation until he is feeling back up to full speed. Peyton Barber was set to snag some goal line snaps as a short-yardage back, and J.D. McKissic was a big factor in the pass game, as well as an efficient runner. These two could pick up some slack until that toe issue is well behind Gibson, but Gibson should retain his place as the WFT’s lead rusher again.
WR Terry McLaurin -
The star wideout dealt with an ankle injury that caused him to miss Week 16 and he clearly looked rushed back Week 17. WFT’s ascending WR1 played well in the playoff loss to the Buccaneers, and reports after the season mentioned he played through two high ankle sprains last year. There should be no lingering or long term effect on McLaurin with the ankle issues, and he is set to have a big year, no matter how their QB situation shakes out. He managed 87 receptions, 1,118 yards and 4 scores in 2020 with Alex Smith, Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke throwing passes, meaning uncertainty on the QB depth chart has not limited him before. McLaurin has had 6 quarterbacks in his young career, and with Allen and Heinicke back in 2021, he’ll have to adjust to veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
WR Curtis Samuel -
The new free agent wideout has not started out well in his new home as he has been on both the Reserve/COVID list and PUP. Samuel has recently been activated off the COVID list but the big issue is the groin injury. The injury caused him to miss all of OTAs and with the season getting closer, the greater chance this could linger into the season. With so much of his game reliant on speed combined with lack of reps with his new QB, expect a slow start for the former Panther.
WR Adam Humphries -
The former Titans’ slot receiver suffered a vicious hit which led to a concussion that wiped him out for the majority of the season. The hit occurred in Week 8 and although he was able to return four weeks later, Humphries was placed on IR after the game and did not return to Tennessee’s roster, missing 9 games total. In 2019, Humphries missed the final four games of the season due to an ankle injury and while the ankle should not be a concern, the head injury is. Every concussion is different but this one led to a significant absence and thus has a higher chance for recurrent issues. We hope it doesn't happen but the next one might start talk of retirement, and with a concussion on the record in 2016 there is a history here.
Offensive Line
OL Brandon Scherff -
The hulking offensive lineman suffered a sprained right MCL and was subsequently placed on IR, missing three games before finishing the season strong. Neither this or the training camp COVID absence should be an issue this regular season, and Scherff is poised to remain a stalwart member of this offensive line that has undergone numerous changes this offseason.
Defense
LB Cole Holcomb -
The strong side linebacker had an injury-filled 2020 and missed four of the first five games with a knee issue and one game due to a concussion. The WFT released depth chart shows confidence in him going forward as the starting strong side linebacker. The knee issue seems to be behind him meaning Holcomb has a good chance to be healthy in his starting role on this up and coming defensive unit.
DE Chase Young -
Chase Young had a solid rookie campaign after being selected in the top of the 2020 Draft, but did miss Week 4 with a groin injury. Young put it behind him and has become an integral part of the Washington defensive front. While the groin injury definitely slowed him down as we discussed in our 2020 in-season posts, the injury should be in the past, and Young should be a full go for 2021 as Washington’s emerging alpha pass-rusher. He started off his NFL career with 7.5 sacks, coming in 2nd behind Montez Sweat’s 9.0, but should be gunning for more now that longtime Washington pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan has joined the Eagles.
S Landon Collins -
The star safety suffered an Achilles tear Week 7 and missed the rest of the season. Collins has said he is stronger than ever after the injury and declared back in late May that he would be ready for Week 1. Indeed he is ahead of schedule and will start Week 1 but it is probably too much to ask for him to be 100% to start the season. He is likely to play himself into full form as the season progresses, and they could rotate in other defensive backs while he rebuilds his role as a box safety stud.
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