12:57 PM
The Washington Football Team will place All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff on the reserve/COVID-19 list, dealing another blow to an already ravaged roster, according to a source. The return of another defensive lineman will put the group at full strength.
The fifth defensive linemen to come off the list in the last three days will be Washington's Matt Ioannidis. Washington will have its top three defensive tackles, as well as its top three ends still on the active roster, available for Tuesday's game at the Philadelphia Eagles. Chase Young is out for the season with a tornACL, and reserve tackle Tim Settle is still on the list.
Philadelphia leads the NFL in rushing yards per game and fortifying the defensive line was important. Washington likes to use a lot of five-man fronts, so having its top players back will help.
There are 15 players on the reserve list. On Friday, the team's total players were 23.
Washington and Philadelphia are both 6-7 and are a half-game behind New Orleans for the final playoff spot. The Saints beat Washington but lost to the Eagles.
Washington's offensive line will be a big blow if Scherff is lost. He made four Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2020.
He can play center in an emergency and is Washington's best offensive lineman. Washington lost its top three centers and will likely start a second-year player at the position on Tuesday.
Washington could start Saahdiq Charles. Charles made his first start of the season at right tackle. He started one game at guard as a freshman, but was injured. Washington signed guard/center Jamil Douglas, a fourth-round pick in 2015. He has started at right guard in 11 of his career.
Washington has uncertainty at quarterback with starter Taylor Heinicke and backup Kyle Allen still on the list. One source said that their statuses will likely come down to testing on Tuesday. New England's practice squad player, who was signed on Friday, could end up starting for Washington. Kyle Shurmur has been on Washington's practice squad.
Gilbert played two seasons for Washington's current staff when it was in Carolina, and last season he started one game for Dallas. That experience could be the difference in his start.
Ron Rivera said that the postponement helped Gilbert.
Rivera said it was helping the coaches get a good handle on what he does well and what he can adapt to. It's given him the chance to watch more film and see what to expect from them on the defensive side.
Washington would have to rely on its run game without its top two quarterbacks. That becomes more difficult without him. Washington has run the ball 170 times. Washington went 4-1 during that period. Only three teams have run the ball more than the other two.
