Tag: Washington Football Team

Dec 26, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles continue playoff push in rematch with Washington

Posted on | by Field Level Media

As Philadelphia has made a playoff push, winning five of its last six, the Eagles have benefited from good fortune as many of its recent opponents have been quarterback challenged.

During the span, Philadelphia has beaten quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater (Broncos), Trevor Siemian (Saints), Garrett Gilbert (Washington), Mike Glennon (Giants) and rookie Zach Wilson (Jets).

On Sunday, when Philadelphia (8-7) plays at Washington (6-9), the Eagles will again face a skidding Washington team still struggling with a shaky quarterback situation. While Taylor Heinicke is set to start, Washington coach Ron Rivera has said that backup Kyle Allen also is likely to play.

In his last two starts, both against the Cowboys, Heinicke went a combined 18-of-47 for 243 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, while yielding eight sacks.

Philadelphia currently holds the final playoff slot in the NFC and can capture a playoff berth with wins in its last two games, including on Jan. 9 at home against the Cowboys. It might not even take two victories to secure a spot ahead of Minnesota (7-8), New Orleans (7-8) and Atlanta (7-8), as the Eagles have wins in hand over the Saints and Falcons, giving them an edge in many tie-breaking scenarios.

“How do you get a little bit better each day?” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said of his approach this season. “When you’re in this trajectory, I don’t think every team thinks that way. If you can get a little better and other people level out at the end of the year, you’re gonna pass other teams.”

Washington (6-9) has yet to be eliminated but is on life support as it needs to win out and have a series of calamities strike other wildcard contenders. After its third straight loss, a humiliating 56-14 defeat Sunday at Dallas, the team’s resilience will be tested.

“There’s a sliver of hope and we’ll see if that’s enough to get motivated to play,” Rivera said. “It’s gonna tell me a lot about who we are and who we have.”

Another factor for the recent success of the Eagles has been their rushing attack. In winning six of its last eight, Philadelphia has averaged 204 yards on the ground, after posting an average of 116.7 yards in its first seven games.

Sustaining the success might be difficult with top rusher Miles Sanders (754 yards, 5.5 yards per carry) out with a broken hand. Sanders had his season high 131 yards in Philadelphia’s 27-17 win over Washington on Dec. 21.

The status of backup Jordan Howard (stinger) is uncertain, leaving Boston Scott as the next best option. Scott (326 yards, 4.5 yards per carry) has produced in limited chances.

“Every time he’s called upon, he’s come through,” Sirianni said of Scott. “We’ve got four backs I think a lot of teams would like to have.”

In surrendering 519 yards in its recent defeat at Philadelphia, Washington was hampered by the loss of five starters and several key reserves to the COVID-19 list. The virus claimed both Heinicke and Allen, leaving Gilbert to run the offense. Washington has since regained Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff and safety Kam Curl. The team’s top tackler, Cole Holcomb, also returns from the virus list after missing the Cowboys game.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team outside linebacker David Mayo (51) sets the play with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) and defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Washington’s Jonathan Allen throws punch at teammate Daron Payne

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Emotions boiled over on the Washington Football Team’s bench during Sunday night’s 56-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys when star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen threw a punch at teammate Daron Payne.

The incident between the two former Alabama teammates happened in the second quarter with Washington trailing 28-7.

The two were conversing — not politely — when Payne, who was standing, poked his finger into the left side of Allen’s head. Allen swatted Payne’s hand away with his left hand and stood up and threw a hard right-handed punch that grazed the defensive tackle’s face.

Other Washington defensive players got between the two to break up the scuffle. Payne still was vehemently upset minutes later while Allen was sitting nearby.

After the contest, Payne had cooled off and said the incident was “wrong place, wrong time.”

“You got brothers? You guys fight, right?” Payne told reporters. “It’s all good.”

Washington coach Ron Rivera said after the contest that there would be no punishment.

“I’ve talked with them and as far as I’m concerned, that’s where it’s gonna stay,” Rivera said. “… What my players say to me is really nobody’s business.”

The 26-year-old Allen was named to the Pro Bowl this season for the first time in his five-year NFL career. He was the No. 17 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Payne, 24, was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2018 draft and is in his fourth season with Washington.

Washington (6-9) has dropped three straight games and has clinched a losing season for the fifth straight campaign.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington activates QB Taylor Heinicke from COVID list

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Taylor Heinicke was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and should return from a one-game absence in time to start for the Washington Football Team at Dallas on Sunday night.

The Cowboys (10-4) would clinch the NFC East division title with a win Sunday, and a ninth loss would all but seal the no-postseason fate in Washington.

It’s a make-or-break type of game for Washington coming off of a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with journeyman Garrett Gilbert at the controls.

Heinicke, 28, has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 2,931 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 13 games (12 starts) this season.

With Heinicke back at practice Thursday, Washington is still nowhere near full strength. Then again, neither is Dallas.

The Cowboys practiced Wednesday without multiple starters, none more important than left tackle Tyron Smith.

Dallas (10-4) has a three-game lead over the Philadelphia Eagles (7-7) in the division race. The Cowboys are one of five NFC teams with at least 10 wins, so playoff seeding is very much part of the equation over the final three weeks of the regular season.

“I mean we all pay attention to it, but I just think it’s a waste of time just to go back and forth on it,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said of analyzing different scenarios. “We’re at 10 wins, and we clearly understand what 11 wins gives us. We understand what the records are in front of us. We’ll watch it like everybody else.”

At 6-8, Washington’s playoff picture is not as clear as the Cowboys’ entering Week 16.

–Field Level Media

May 14, 2021; Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Washington Football Team running back Jaret Patterson (35) receives instruction from running backs coach Randy Jordan during rookie minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Seven Washington assistant coaches out with COVID-19

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Seven assistant coaches for the Washington Football Team will miss Tuesday night’s game against the host Philadelphia Eagles because of COVID-19 protocols.

Wide receivers coach Drew Terrell and running backs coach Randy Jordan will be replaced by senior offensive assistant Jim Hostler and assistant running backs coach Jennifer King, respectively.

Defensive line coach Sam Mills, defensive backs coach Chris Harris, assistant defensive backs/nickel coach Brent Vieselmeyer, defensive quality control coach Vincent Rivera and defensive coaching intern Christian Garcia also will miss Tuesday’s game.

Mills will be replaced by assistant defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina, while Harris will be replaced by assistant defensive backs coach Richard Rodgers.

The NFL rescheduled this NFC East showdown from Sunday in the wake of Washington placing more than 20 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week.

Washington and Philadelphia enter the game with 6-7 records and are in must-win situations to remain in the playoff hunt. Washington is just outside the playoff picture at No. 8 while the Eagles are 10th.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) stands in the huddle against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Washington QB Taylor Heinicke tests positive

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke became the latest member of the Washington Football Team to test positive for COVID-19, multiple outlets reported Friday.

Backup quarterback Kyle Allen was one of 21 Washington players placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week, leaving the team with only practice squad signal-callers Kyle Shurmur and Jordan Ta’amu.

Washington also reportedly planned to sign Garrett Gilbert off the New England Patriots’ practice squad on Friday.

There’s a chance Heinicke could still play Sunday when Washington (6-7) visits NFC East rival Philadelphia (6-7).

Under the revised protocols implemented by the NFL on Thursday, fully vaccinated players or staff can “test out” of the protocols under one of three complex testing scenarios and with the provision they are asymptomatic for at least 24 hours.

Heinicke, 28, has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 2,931 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 13 games (12 starts) this season.

Shurmur, 25, has never appeared in an NFL game. Neither has Ta’amu, 24, who signed with WFT on Wednesday.

Gilbert, 30, made one start last season with the Dallas Cowboys. He passed for 243 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 24-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

–Field Level Media

Bills receiver Emmanuel Sanders holds on to this pass behind Washington's Kamren Curl for a 5 yard touchdown. Jamie Germano Poy 3

Washington’s COVID total hits 21 with 3 new additions

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The Washington Football Team added three players to the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, raising the team’s total to 21 players in the health and safety protocols.

Safety Kamren Curl and centers Keith Ismael and Tyler Larsen are the latest additions.

The 18 players already on the list are (alphabetically): DT Jonathan Allen, QB Kyle Allen, S Troy Apke, DE Will Bradley-King, LB Milo Eifler, S Darrick Forrest, CB Kendall Fuller, TE Temarrick Hemingway, LB Khaleke Hudson, DT Matt Ioannidis, T CorneliusLucas, LB David Mayo, TE Sammis Reyes, DT Tim Settle, WR Cam Sims, DE James Smith-Williams, DE Montez Sweat and DE Casey Toohill.

Washington (6-7) is preparing for an NFC East road game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles (6-7).

Washington also announced the signing Thursday of free agent defensive tackle Akeem Spence, who last played in 2020 with the New England Patriots.

Spence, 30, has recorded 204 tackles, 35 quarterback hits, 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 109 career games (57 starts) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles and Patriots.

–Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) hands the ball off to running back Miles Sanders (26) in the first half at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in East Rutherford. Nyj Vs Phi

Eagles could start Gardner Minshew again vs. Washington

Posted on | by Field Level Media

There doesn’t appear to be a quarterback controversy in Philadelphia.

But while Jalen Hurts looks to be the No. 1 quarterback, he may not be healthy enough to play when the Eagles host the Washington Football Team on Sunday.

If Hurts’ injured ankle isn’t healed after the bye week, it will be Gardner Minshew lining up under center for the second straight week. On Dec. 5, Minshew threw two touchdown passes in a 33-18 victory over the New York Jets.

Minshew and Hurts were scheduled to split reps at practice this week, according to head coach Nick Sirianni.

“I don’t know what exactly is going to happen, just like I didn’t know last week exactly what was going to happen,” Sirianni said. “So you want to make sure you’re covered if one guy can’t play. … We’re going to do what we need to do in walk through, how we divvy up the reps. Like last walk through, both Gardner and Jalen got reps and we’ll do the same thing and we’ll see how everything goes (Thursday).”

The Eagles (6-7) remain in contention for a playoff berth and would really strengthen their case with a win over the Washington Football Team (6-7).

Sirianni added that key injured players Jason Kelce (knee), Miles Sanders (ankle) and Jordan Howard (knee) aren’t guaranteed to play but are improving each day.

“We’ll see how the week continues to go,” Sirianni said. “We’re hopeful for all of those guys.”

The Washington Football Team will be hopeful for healthy players as well.

Quarterback Kyle Allen has been added to the COVID reserve list although he could play with two negative tests. Taylor Heinicke had already been questionable with ankle and elbow injuries suffered in last week’s 27-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Heinicke, however, was listed as a full participant in practice Wednesday.

“I threw the ball at practice, and the elbow didn’t hurt while I was throwing,” Heinicke said. “All around good news.”

Starting defensive linemen Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen and Casey Toohill are all on the COVID list along with Matt Ioannidis and Kendall Fuller, among others. There are a total of 18 players on the COVID list. Chase Young has already been lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The team will likely look vastly different for this crucial NFC East matchup.

“I wouldn’t say it’s insurmountable, but it will test your depth more than anything,” Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera said. “That’s where you get concerned.”

Washington still nearly pulled off an improbable comeback win after falling behind 27-8 to the Cowboys. The defense intercepted Dak Prescott twice and was relentless down the stretch before falling just short.

Another tough divisional game awaits.

“We have dealt with adversity all year,” Heinicke said. “Guys go down and other guys have to step up and play. We have confidence in all our guys. We feel comfortable with who we’ve got. It should be interesting on Sunday. We feel good about it.”

Washington will look for its third straight victory over the Eagles for the first time since winning five in a row from Dec. 20, 2014 to Dec. 11, 2016.

–Field Level Media

Dec 5, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas (82) is defended by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) on a 35-yard reception in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Washington TE Logan Thomas has torn ACL

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Upon further review, Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas has a torn ACL, multiple reports Tuesday indicated.

Thomas suffered an injury to his left knee on Dec. 5 in Washington’s 17-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and initial tests indicated his injury wasn’t as extensive as feared. Prior to Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Ron Rivera voiced optimism Thomas would avoid surgery.

But additional tests performed revealed the ligament tear, per reports.

He is expected to have surgery and be ready for the 2022 season, ESPN reported.

Thomas was placed on injured reserve last week, ending his season because it’s his second trip to the IR this season.

Washington signed Thomas, 30, to a three-year, $24 million contract extension in July.

He ends his season with 18 catches for 196 yards and three touchdowns in six games. He missed seven games earlier this season with a hamstring injury.

The Arizona Cardinals selected Thomas in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. After just two games with Arizona, he spent the 2015-16 seasons on practice squads before landing with the Buffalo Bills in the 2017-18 seasons. He played with the Detroit Lions in 2019 before signing with Washington in 2020.

In 64 career games (29 starts), Thomas has 189 catches for 1,183 yards with 11 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media