Taylor Heinicke stood off on the side without a helmet during 11-on-11 session of Wednesday’s OTAs practice. While he participated in team drills it was noticeable Heinicke was not wearing a helmet at any portion of the practice.
Following practice Washington head coach Ron Rivera gave an explanation. Heinicke received stitches after taking an elbow to the face just above his eye last week during Washington’s install.
Heinicke added some context, saying he received seven stitches as well as a chipped tooth.
This is the final week of voluntary OTAs before the team moves to mandatory mini-camp next week. A laceration isn’t the biggest of injuries, but this is sure to get attention going into next week.
Training camp is more than a month away so there’s no reason to be concerned. Heinicke was throwing Wednesday just not with a helmet.
The quarterback is expected to compete with Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting role. He’s become a fan favorite after his last-season emergence last year. While being the starting signal caller is Fitzpatrick’s job to lose, expectations are for Heinicke to push him.
