Washington Football Team wide receiver Curtis Samuel has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a lingering groin injury.
Samuel has already missed four games due to the injury, including last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was placed on injured reserve to start the season, forcing him to miss the first three games. However, he returned in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, playing 25 snaps with four catches for 19 yards. He played just five snaps the following week against the New Orleans Saints after re-aggravating the injury.
Samuel hasn’t played since.
Despite the setback, head coach Ron Rivera says Washington is not considering placing Samuel back on injured reserve.
“I’ve been around him, I know eventually he’ll be back out there,” Rivera said of Samuel per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “We’re in no rush. … We just want to make sure when it’s time for him to be out there, he’s ready to roll.”
Curtis Samuel signed a three-year, $34.5 million deal with Washington in March as a free agent. He was expected to be another receiving weapon alongside friend and former Ohio State teammate Terry McLaurin, aiding quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Yet, Fitzpatrick has played just one full quarter this season. He’s been on injured reserve with a hip injury. Meanwhile, Samuel has played just 30 offensive snaps through what will be the first seven games.
Taylor Heinicke has been a suitable replacement for Fitzpatrick at quarterback. However, no one has been able to step up as the second-receiving threat to aid McLaurin in Samuel’s absence.
