If the Washington Redskins are to defeat the Tennessee Titans and continue their push for the playoffs, they’ll have to do so without three prominent players on offense. Tight end Vernon Davis, offensive lineman Ty Nsekhe, and wide receiver Maurice Harris have all been downgraded to out for Saturday’s game.
Nsekhe is out with a knee injury. He has started at left guard each of the previous two games after Jonathan Cooper was placed on injured reserve. Nsekhe was injured in Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, playing 49 of the Redskins 68 offensive snaps.
With Nsekhe out that places another void on the offensive line that has been decimated with injuries, especially at both guard positions. The good news is Tony Bergstrom, who started four games at right guard this season, practiced this week. He missed each of the past two games with a right ankle injury.
Nsekhe has been a versatile swing offensive tackle for the Redskins the past four seasons for Washington, being able to fill in at tackle and guard. His lost coupled with Washington having three starting caliber guards on IR already, will weaken an already makeshift offensive line.
Both Davis and Harris remain in the concussion protocol and were not cleared in time for the team to travel to Nashville.
The Redskins are already out starting tight end Jordan Reed with an ankle injury. Davis being out means the Redskins will dig deeper into the depth chart. Jeremy Sprinkle and Matt Flanagan will fill in against the Titans.
Sprinkle is known for his blocking, but caught three passes for 19 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s win over the Jaguars last week.
Harris has started seven games this season at wide receiver. This is the second time this season he has been placed in the concussion protocol. He has not produced much the past five games — all starts. He had just two catches for 26 yards during that time span.
The Redskins also placed offensive tackle Austin Howard on IR, becoming the team’s 21st player currently on IR. He was serving as the swing tackle as Nsekhe was forced into the starting lineup at guard. Washington signed offensive tackle Timon Paris from the practice squad in a corresponding move.
