Head Coach Jay Gruden spoke to the media for his typical Monday press conference and the list of players he had to address in terms of injuries was long.
“Alright injuries…,” he started off, “Ryan [Kerrigan] had his surgery this today. It went well. It was his third metacarpal fracture and he’ll see the surgeon again next week to determine whether there’s a chance for him to play or not.
“[CB Bashaud] Breeland has a hamstring. There’s a concern there. Just going to have to monitor him day-to-day-to-day [like] all hamstrings. Not sure how long he’ll be out. [LB] Perry Riley [Jr.] had a bruised lower leg strain… looks like he’ll be okay; day-to-day and [LB] Keenan Robinson came out… maybe a slightly fractured rib/oblique strain, ‘think he’ll be okay.
“[TE] Jordan [Reed] came out okay; [LT] Trent [Williams] came out okay and… [WR] D-Jax, DeSean [Jackson], [CBs Chris] Culliver, D[eAngelo]-Hall: we’re just going to continue to monitor them, continue to get treatment this week and hopefully get them ready for practice next week.”
Gruden went on to say that there’s hope that Kerrigan may be able to play with some sort of apparatus on his hand depending on what the surgeon says next week. Running back Chris Thompson (back) and center Kory Lichtensteiger (hamstring) will also be monitored day-to-day.
The team will have a short practice tomorrow and then, for the guys that don’t have to be around for treatment or rehab, there’ll be several days to relax and get away from the facility and from football. Some will simply get off of their feet and spend time with their families. Others will get totally out of town; going back to their home towns and not return until they have to dress for practice or be in a meeting next week.
At least these Redskins players can go away knowing they put together an extremely good second half effort against a fired-up Tampa Bay Buccaneers team and, and in the process, engineered the biggest come-back victory in franchise history, beating the Bucs 31-30.
“We definitely need this going into the bye week so we can get our team healthy,” rookie running back Matt Jones said after the victory. “And going against the [New England] Patriots in two weeks, we’re definitely going to need that motivation. We’ve got a new motto now that we’re going to finish our second halves like we did today.”
At 3-4 and with the loss of the Dallas Cowboys (to the NY Giants) and the Philadelphia Eagles (to the Carolina Panthers), the team is technically right in the race (in second place) for the NFC East division.
“Everyone be safe, relax, spend time with your family, refresh your mind,” veteran nose tackle Terrance Knighton advised teammates during an interview after yesterday’s win. “Take your mind off the first seven games. It’s time to roll. The second half of the season is crucial. We’re trying to take the franchise back to where it belongs.”
Unfortunately, the path to where the franchise “belongs” goes through New England. This game will, without a doubt, be the biggest challenge the Burgundy and Gold has had yet. The good news is that, not only do the Redskins have the Tampa Bay win to motivate them; they have the knowledge that, since this is the NFL; on any given Thursday, Sunday or Monday any NFL team can beat another at any time. It just really helps when a unit has its most talented starters healthy and on the field.
“[It] all comes down to today, and either, we heal as a team, or we’re gonna crumble. Inch by inch, play by play. Until we’re finished. We’re in hell right now, gentlemen. Believe me. And, we can stay here, get the sh*t kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb outta hell… one inch at a time.
— Tony D’Amato, Any Given Sunday