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Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams visited a specialist in Pittsburgh on Thursday to determine if he needs surgery for his dislocated thumb head coach Jay Gruden told reporters per John Keim of ESPN.
Williams will be given consultation on whether or not he can play with the injury with a protective cast. If not Ty Nsekhe will replace him in the starting lineup when the Redskins host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Williams suffered the injury in last week’s 20-13 win over the New York Giants. He suffered the injury early in the game and returned delivering a plowing block that sprang Chris Thompson for a long run in the process. However, the injury forced him to sit out the fourth quarter as Nsekhe replaced him.
Williams has played in 448 of the Redskins’ 473 offensive snaps this season. Having him on the sidelines unable to play would serve as a huge let down for the Redskins, especially for a passing game that is already struggling to produce. The Redskins predicate their offense with a power run scheme that is highlighted by Williams’ imposing blocking.
The team has confidence in Nsheke, their swing tackle who is a better left tackle than he is a right tackle. He has had his fair share of snaps the last couple of seasons in place of injured players. While a limited amount of snaps, Nsheke has yet to allow a pressure on 27 pass protect snaps this season, per Pro Football Focus.
In addition to Williams, there is pessimism on the status of Thompson, who is battling a tough rib injury. He was injured against the Giants in his first game after missing the previous two with an injury to the opposite side ribs and a knee. He has not practice this week either and Gruden said Thompson will be given time to heal.
