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The Washington Football Team will be without its top two quarterbacks for Tuesday's road game against the Philadelphia Eagles, as starter Taylor Heinicke and backup Kyle Allen remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list, according to sources.
Washington will start Gilbert, who signed with the team on Friday off New England's practice squad. Kyle Shurmur, a second-year player who has not appeared in an NFL game, will serve as the primary backup after being elevated from the practice squad.
Washington and Philadelphia are in a three-way tie for the seventh and final playoff spot.
Gilbert has started one of the seven games he has played since entering the league as a sixth-round pick by the Rams. He did not make an active roster until three years later.
He has played for eight different teams in the National Football League and the Alliance of American Football.
Gilbert started one game for the Dallas Cowboys last season and completed 21-of-38 passes for one touchdown and one interception. He did not attempt a pass in one game last season.
The decision to start Gilbert over Shurmur was based on his minimal game experience. Alex Smith was hurt late in the season last year and Ron Rivera faced the same situation. He could have made Steven Montez the backup to Dwayne Haskins. Rivera chose Heinicke because he had game experience.
Shurmur was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent and spent 11 days on their active roster. He spent time on the practice squad.
Ryan Fitzpatrick was injured in the second quarter of the season opener and Heinicke has started every game since. Heinicke has thrown for over 3000 yards in 12 starts. His total QBR is 22nd in the league.
All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff and running back J.D. McKissic have been placed on injured reserve.
WFT's top tight end, Logan Thomas, is on injured reserve after tearing the anterior cruciateeum in his left knee.
Samuel will miss the game with a injury. He has played in only five games this season and has only caught six passes for 27 yards.
Washington has 16 players and seven assistant coaches on the reserve list, but all three of the coordinators are still available. The game was moved from Sunday because Washington had 23 players on the list.
Heinicke was placed on the list four days ago and would not have played had the game continued.
