Washington Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered a hip sublaxtion in the second quarter of the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Now, nearly 13 weeks afterwards, the 39-year old is having season-ending arthroscopic hip surgery, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The initial timetable for Fitzpatrick’s return was six-to-eight weeks, as the thought was he didn’t need surgery to recover. However, as the eight weeks came, Rapoport reported Fitzpatrick was still on crutches and the injury hadn’t healed as originally thought.
Fitzpatrick underwent multiple MRI’s during his absence, showing minimal progress. Tuesday’s revelation officially ends any speculation of his return. It also spells out the end of his time in Washington.
Fitzpatrick signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Washington in the offseason. He was tabbed the starting quarterback ahead of Taylor Heinicke. Fitzpatrick’s tenure in Washington lasted just 16 snaps before a hit by Chargers edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu ultimately knocked him out for the season.
In Fitzpatrick’s absence, Heinicke has grabbed the reins of the starting position. Heinicke has taken every snap since Fitzpatrick’s injury and has led Washington on a four-game win streak after the team started 2-6.
Washington was Fitzpatrick’s ninth team in his 17-year career. He finishes the season 3-of-6 passing for 13 yards
