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Shawn Lauvao has been ruled out for Sunday’s Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers. The Redskins left guard is dealing with a calf injury that held him out of practice all week. Head coach Jay Gruden warned earlier this week Lauvao could miss some time, as so the Redskins will have to shuffle around their offensive line in Lauvao’s absence.
Starting center Chase Roullier will move over to left guard to replace Lauvao while veteran Tony Bergstrom will start at center.
The Redskins had an experimental prelude to what they will roll out against the Packers, as Roullier slid over to right guard to replace Brandon Scherff, who missed four snaps last week against the Indianapolis Colts with a knee injury, while Bergstrom played center.
Gruden said the Redskins felt they were about the same at center with a “little bit of a drop-off” with Roullier in place of Scherff. Gruden essentially added that’s saying a lot considering Scherff is a Pro Bowl guard.
Lauvao’s injury is being described as short-term, although, Gruden admitted he was unsure how short-term the injury may be. Since initially signing with the Redskins in 2014, Lauvao has struggled with injuries in odd numbered years while performing above average in even years. Just last season — 2017 — he was limited to nine games with a stinger injury that ultimately led to him being placed on injured reserve
Sunday could provide a glimpse into the future of the Redskins, if Roullier is able to play well. Washington has longed for a permanent solution at left guard, however, unable to find that solution they’ve resulted back to Lauvao. If Roullier could be just as sound as he was last week at guard while Scherff was out, the Redskins could be able to consider the option down the line.
