Quarterback Alex Smith was able to take some first-team reps in practice Thursday. However, Washington’s top wide receiver Terry McLaurin and star rookie running back Antonio Gibson did not practice.
Gibson is nursing a toe turf he injured in the first quarter in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He missed the next two games before returning last week against the Carolina Panthers. Gibson rushed for 61 yards on 10 carries in his first game back.
Washington head coach Ron Rivera described Gibson as “fine” following practice, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. The team wanted to rest his toe.
Barring a major setback, Gibson is expected to get a heavier load in Sunday’s must-win game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Meanwhile, the concern is much higher for McLaurin. The wide out has been bothered by an ankle injury, described as a high-ankle sprain since Week 12. He played through it but reaggravated the injury in Week 15’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
He missed last week’s game against the Panthers after missing practice all week. This week he has been relagated to working off to the side with team trainers.
When asked about McLaurin’s chances to play the pivotal regular season finale, Rivera said “we’ll see.”
