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The hits keep on coming for the Washington Redskins, as head coach Jay Gruden announced three offensive starters were undergoing season-ending surgeries. As expected both left guard Shawn Lauvao (torn ACL) and right guard Brandon Scherff (torn pectoral) were out for the season after both were injured in Sunday’s blowout loss against the Atlanta Falcons. Gruden also announced wide receiver Paul Richardson was being shut down for the year.
Paul Richardson
Richardson is out for the season as he willĀ undergo surgery to repair an injured AC joint. He has also dealt with a knee injury.
Both issues initially became public news in Week 2. However, he continued to play through the pain only missing a Week 7 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
As the season went on it was becoming clear he was being hampered by both ailments. With his season done, Richardson finishes the 2018 campaign with 20 catches on 35 targets for 262 yards, and two receiving touchdowns. A far cry from what a team would expect from its No. 1 wide receiver.
Have to say about Richardson: He played through this pain a LONG time. Like since camp. Could have shut it down earlier; kept going. Recovery expected to be in 6-8 month range.
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 5, 2018
With the trade deadline already gone, it will be interesting to see how the Redskins address the dire situation at wide receiver. Richardson’s absence will force the Redskins to reshuffle the wide receiver group that is already missing Jamison Crowder, who has missed four straight games with an ankle injury.
The Redskins will have to wait to see when/if Crowder can return to the field. In the meantime, they still have Maurice Harris, Josh Doctson, Brian Quick, Michael Floyd and Jehu Chesson on the active 53-man roster. They also have Simmie Cobbs Jr. and Darvin Kidsy on the practice squad. Trey Quinn and Cam Sims are both eligible to return from injured reserve on Nov. 12, however, the team was expected to use one of two return destinations on running back Byron Marshall.
The loss of Richardson may add to the struggles of a Redskins’ passing game that cannot get off and running. After Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the Redskins offense ranks 24th in the NFL in passing yards per game and 25th in the league in yards per attempt.
Richardson signed a five-year deal worth $40 million this past off-season. He will be set to return to the team next season at the age of 27.
Shawn Lauvao
Lauvao’s season is done after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee. The left guard was injured on the third snap of the game against Atlanta, when he was bowled over by defensive tackle Grady Jarrett with a bull rush.
Jarrett sacked Smith while Lauvao immediately grabbed his knee. He was taken off the field and later taken to the locker room in a wheelchair for further evaluation.
With Lauvao, remember talking to someone in the offseason who was tight with him. His thought: make sure you have a strong vet backup b/c he does get hurt. Was playing better than fans realized, but injuries always an issue. needed stronger backup plans inside.
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 5, 2018
Lauvao, 31, signed a one-year deal this past off-season to return to the Redskins for the fifth consecutive season. He has suffered a season-ending injury in now three of the last four seasons.
Brandon Scherff
Scherff will undergo surgery for a torn pectoral. News broke earlier on Monday, the Redskins were anticipating similar results from an MRI. Scherff, a two-time Pro Bowler, is viewed as top-tier guard playing on the right side of the Redskins’ offensive line.
Scherff was injured in the third quarter against Atlanta.
Losing Scherff alone is a huge blow to the Redskins offense. Losing him in addition to losing Lauvao is even worse. Now the Redskins have to shuffle the deck across the offensive line with both their Week 1 starting guards out for the season. Left tackle Trent Williams was already out after undergoing surgery on a dislocated thumb last week. Now the Redskins’ strong point on offense, their running game, is in jeopardy with two starters done for the season and another out for the next coming weeks.
The ramifications of that were seen against Atlanta as running back Adrian Peterson was held to 1.9 yards per carry after having three straight games of at least 97 yards.
Tony Bergstrom, who started at center for three games while Lauvao dealt with a calf injury, will fill in with the absence of the guards. Washington does not have another guard on their active or practice squad rosters. That makes signing a free agent guard a more than lik
