The feel-good vibes remained, but the sting of reality also entered the conversation. Yes, the Redskins won a game nobody would have expected. They did it on the road and with seemingly half their roster ended up on the injury list. It’s the sort of win that could ignite a playoff push.
Except …
When half the roster remains on that injury list. As the Redskins (5-5) prepare for Minnesota, now guided by interim coach Leslie Frazier, it’s not game plans that will matter most. It’s the doctor’s report.
In their 19-16 overtime win at Tennessee, the Redskins, already hurting, exited with legitimate concerns about certain players.
First, though, the Redskins tried to enjoy a road win featuring numerous fill-ins. By game’s end, the Redskins had backups at seven positions.
“It was definitely a nightmare,” linebacker/end Andre Carter said. “We didn’t panic; we just kept playing.”
And winning.
“You saw a bunch of players step up and prove they could play,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “That’s what we expect.”
Not that they weren’t ignoring the injury situation.
“It’s crazy,” safety Reed Doughty said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen.”
The positions most affected are widespread. Safety LaRon Landry already has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings. Landry’s fear is that his Achilles will rupture, which would result in him missing the start of next season. It’s an injury he’s played with for several weeks, and it’s unusual for a coach like Shanahan to rule a player out on the Monday before a game, a clue that Landry might not return anytime soon.
Running back Clinton Portis re-injured his groin, which already has caused him to miss five games. Portis, who gained 32 yards on five carries Sunday, had an MRI on Monday.
Meanwhile, Ryan Torain’s hamstring, which sidelined him the past two games, already leaves him a longshot for the Vikings game, Shanahan said. That leaves Keiland Williams and James Davis to shoulder the running game.
The offensive line is a mess. Center Casey Rabach sprained the MCL in his knee, an injury that some have played with the following week. Other linemen have been sidelined for a week or two. Rabach has missed one game in five-plus seasons with Washington. If he can’t play, then Will Montgomery or Kory Lichtensteiger will play center.
Starting right guard Artis Hicks, who has thigh and groin issues, did not play Sunday. Shanahan said he wouldn’t know Hicks’ status until practice resumes Wednesday. Meanwhile, reserve guard Derrick Dockery, who injured a knee, told Shanahan he’s optimistic about playing Sunday. If Hicks or Rabach can’t play, then Dockery could start at left guard and the combination of Lichtensteiger and Montgomery would play right guard and center.
Stephon Heyer, who played guard for the first time in his career vs. Tennessee, is an option as is promoting a practice squad player such as rookie Eric Cook.
Meanwhile, linebacker Rocky McIntosh’s groin injury could be troublesome. But Shanahan said they won’t know his status until Wednesday. If he can’t play, then H.B. Blades and Perry Riley would fill in.
