The Redskins are so banged up the next Easterns Auto commercial will be filmed in a junk yard.
Players are out for the year, others for a few weeks and the top two draft picks quickly went down after entering camp out of shape. What’s next? You know what’s next — a major injury to a major player.
Look for a few more hamstring pulls by fans walking from the metro for the Redskins-Buffalo game on Saturday now that shuttles have been sidelined. Start stretching now.
The injury report has surpassed double digits despite one preseason game. That’s way, way too many. The Redskins were lucky Jason Taylor was available to replace Phillip Daniels, but they’re losing depth on both lines and at receiver faster than my hairline’s receding.
When coach Jim Zorn scolds rookie receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly for arriving out of shape, it’s time to listen to their 55-year-old boss who’s in the top one percent healthwise of those carrying an AARP card. It’s easy to fall out of the NFL even as a second-round pick. Reserves like James Thrash last more than a decade through sheer conditioning, but plenty of second- and third-year players are cut after thinking they’ve made it.
The Redskins are a borderline playoff team in the NFL’s toughest division. Dallas will win the NFC East. The New York Giants should be a wild card team after taking the Super Bowl last year. I’m not convinced they’re a super team, but must be respected. Philadelphia is hard to gauge, but 8-8 is probably its bottom number. That’s three playoff contenders in the division alone plus Minnesota, Chicago, New Orleans and Arizona seeking a wild card.
Washington’s first five games will probably foretell its playoff chances when the Redskins play New York, New Orleans, Arizona, Dallas and Philadelphia. A fast start is a big edge in tiebreakers, a bad beginning means tuning into the Wizards and Capitals before Christmas for once.
This team is not ready-made for the regular season just by changing the calendar to September. They need to ready themselves now, not after Labor Day. They need LaRon Landry back on the field. Clinton Portis should get some carries. Kelly and Thomas must earn some time.
Zorn hasn’t pushed them too hard in practice. Nor has he been too soft in the offseason. Injuries are more bad luck than bad conditioning, but the Redskins can’t afford to let off the throttle in coming weeks while learning a new offense. Preseason games may be meaningless, but the preseason is not.
Zorn admits his return timetable for several injuries is ambitious. Todd Wade isn’t returning in two weeks from a high ankle sprain. That’s four to six weeks, especially for a big man. Same goes for Stephon Heyer’s sprained knee. Kelly returning from arthroscopic surgery in two weeks would be amazing.
August is vacation for fans, not players. The Redskins need overtime on the field, not quality time in the trainer’s room.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
