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Trent Williams underwent thumb surgery Thursday and will not play in Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden announced after Friday’s practice that Williams will be week-to-week. However, ESPN’s Dan Graziano is reporting, that the expectation is the left tackle will miss “about a month.”
A bit more on Washington LT Trent Williams: I'm told the expectation is that he'll miss "about a month" following thumb surgery. Washington's next 4 games are vs. ATL, at TB, vs. HOU, at DAL.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) November 2, 2018
Williams sought a specialist on Thursday in Pittsburgh to see the extent of his injury with his dislocated thumb. Ultimately there was a need for surgery. While Gruden said Williams’ status is “week-to-week” he admitted the team had “no idea” the time frame for his return to the playing field and that the team would further evaluate him when he returns from Pittsburgh.
Losing Williams is a huge blow for obvious reasons. The six-time Pro Bowler has anchors the Redskins offensive line and stellar pass protection keeps quarterback Alex Smith clean while Williams’ mixture of athleticism and strength makes him one of the more dominating run blockers in the NFL.
Ty Nsekhe will replace Williams at left tackle against the Falcons.
While there is some drop-off in talent, the Redskins have confidence in Nsekhe, who could arguably start in many other teams around the NFL. Gruden said having Nsekhe is a “luxury not many teams have.”
With Williams out and Nsekhe sliding in at left tackle, rookie Geron Christian will move up into the swing tackle role. Christian was inactive for each of the Redskins’ first seven games.
