Washington Football Team’s star rookie running back Antonio Gibson did not participate in Thursday’s practice with a turf toe injury. Gibson suffered the injury in the first quarter of Monday’s win at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gibson exited the game and did not return. As Washington turns focus to the San Francisco 49ers, they may be without their leading rusher.
Following practice Thursday, head coach Ron Rivera opened up about Gibson’s injury and availability for Sunday’s game.
“It’s concerning, and we’ll see how it plays out the next two days,” Rivera said on Gibson’s turf toe, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “We’re hoping for the best. He had a couple of good days with a trainer, so we’ll see how he is tomorrow.”
Gibson has emerged as Washington’s lead back, rushing for 659 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. If he is unable to play against the 49ers, Peyton Barber and JD McKissic are expected to split the carries in the backfield.
Barber is more of a ground-and-pound type runner, averaging 2.7 yards per carry this season. Meanwhile, McKissic is more accustom to being a receiver out of the backfield with 56 receptions on the year. However, both may be relied on for increased roles without Gibson this week.
