Redskins Mid Week Injury Report: What does it Mean

Did Not Participate in Practice:

DL Chris Neild (calf):

-Neild’s calf injury is still bothering him apparently after it forced him to miss most of the Oakland game. The good news is that Jarvis Jenkins is back so Chris Baker can go back to being a back-up NT, which is probably a better overall fit for him. It’s very unlikely that the Neild could play so that leaves the Redskins with just 5 healthy defensive linemen. Hopefully no one tweaks anything between now and the game and all five can suit up against the Cowboys.

Limited Participation in Practice:

LB Brandon Jenkins (ankle):

-While he is limited and could maybe be active, Jenkins is unlikely to dress this week with Rob Jackson active again. Good news is the Redskins won’t need to push him, or put a guy on the field (not that Jenkins was seeing the field that much) who is less than 100%. Jenkins may have a tough time seeing the field now with Jackson returned so he could become a weekly inactive player regardless of his health.

TE Logan Paulsen (knee):

-Paulsen is still recovering from his sprained knee from the Raiders game. The original thought was it would take 1-3 weeks to get back to being ready for game action. Obviously the bye week helps that, but it still may be a push to put him back out there this week. It’s a crucial game against Dallas, but trotting Paulsen out there at less than 100% isn’t likely a good answer. Especially if doing so could lead to set back that would push him out for an extended time.

It won’t be easy without him as he’s the best blocker, and both Fred Davis and Jordan Reed are dealing with their own issues, but the Redskins should be able to manage. This could mean more playing time for Darrel Young in an effort to have better blockers on the field. Niles Paul figures to get the majority of the snaps as Reed and Davis may need to split time.

Full Participation:

TE Fred Davis (ankle):

-It’s good to see that Davis is a full go at practice have been known to last a month or more. He still probably isn’t 100%, especially with still working his way back from the Achilles injury, but the Redskins need him out there if Paulsen can’t go. I doubt they want to put a full workload on Jordan Reed, who himself is coming back from injury, unless they had to.

K Kai Forbath (groin):

-This is a great sign that Forbath is ready to go after missing the last three games with a groin injury. You always worry about a re-occurrence, but the bye week probably gave Forbath the extra time he needed. Having him out there does give the Redskins more options in certain situations in a game that they haven’t had the past few weeks.

RB Alfred Morris (ribs):

-This is the best news of the bunch, though it was fully expected. If the Redskins want to beat the Cowboys they need to present as big of a threat as possible for that Cowboys defense. Morris is a guy who the Cowboys are still probably having nightmares about after Week 17 last year, so having him back out there is key.

TE Jordan Reed (thigh):

-Reed’s status was perhaps the most up in the air as he missed the Raiders game with a thigh injury. Given how a thigh injury sidelined him for most of the spring and early summer, there was perhaps some question with how quickly he could get back on the field. Having Reed out there is going to be key for this offense. With Fred Davis still 100% and Logan Paulsen likely out Reed will need to take on a bigger role this week.