When safety Sean Taylor exited after the third quarter Sunday, the Eagles took advantage. Quarterback Donovan McNabb lofted a jump ball downfield, straight into double coverage. It didn’t matter. Receiver Reggie Brown twisted around and grabbed the pass to complete the 45-yard touchdown.
It’s a scene that could be repeated the next two weeks. At least.
That’s how long Taylor will now miss with a grade 2 sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
Left tackle Chris Samuels missed four preseason games with a similar injury, but director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer said Taylor’s recovery time could be quicker.
Taylor limped severely around Redskins Park on Monday. He left on crutches but did not comment. Cornerback Carlos Rogers is already out for the season after tearing two ligaments in his knee. And Rogers’s replacement, Fred Smoot, is battling a hamstring injury.
Taylor’s importance to the defense is obvious. He leads the NFC with five interceptions and has prevented teams from testing the Redskins deep down the middle.
Safety Pierson Prioleau, beaten on the aforementioned play, likely would start for Taylor. Reed Doughty becomes the third safety.
“We’re not going to forfeit the game because Sean’s not playing,” Doughty said. “I don’t think you change [the defense] too much.”
Still, Prioleau and Doughty are not Taylor.
“Sean’s a stud,” Redskins linebacker Marcus Washington said. “He’s a ball-hawk and he has a presence back there. He affects plays he’s not even around. Guys come across the middle and look for him. They get the alligator arms, the short arms.”
If Taylor only misses two games, he picked two tough ones to miss. Dallas has one of the NFL’s most potent downfield passing games — quarterback Tony Romo averages 8.75 yards per attempt, second most in the NFL. They’ll surely test the Redskins deep with receivers Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton. Or down the seam with tight end Jason Witten.
The Redskins would have been big underdogs even with Taylor. But the following week, at Tampa Bay, could be a bigger game. The Redskins and Bucs may be battling for the same playoff spot and this game could be a determining factor. Tampa receiver Joey Galloway averages 17.1 yards per catch with five touchdowns.
The Redskins have not surrendered many big plays this season. Without Taylor, and his speed in covering deep, that could change.
“Do you miss Sean Taylor? Sure you do,” Redskins assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said. “You always know those are the things he’s spectacular on.”
