The Washington Redskins are looking to put a halt to their losing skid that has reached a season-high three games when they host the New York Giants on Sunday. A win is imperative to keeping their fading playoff hopes alive. They’ll have to do so without two key contributors in addition to their list of players out for the season. Linebacker Ryan Anderson and guard Tony Bergstrom have been ruled out for the game. They join quarterback Colt McCoy who suffered a broken fibula in Monday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Gruden says LB Ryan Anderson (hamstring) and OL Tony Bergstrom (knee/ankle) are out for #NYGvsWAS. LB Zach Brown (illness), DL Matt Ioannidis (shin), C Chase Roullier (knee) and WR Josh Doctson (hip) will be listed as questionable.
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 7, 2018
Anderson is dealing with a hamstring injury while Bergstrom is bothered by his knee and ankle. Both were injured against the Eagles Monday.
Anderson has played in 19 percent of the Redskins defensive snaps this season and just over 50 percent of their special teams snaps. He has even filled in as the short-yardage fullback on offense. With Anderson out on defense, Pernell McPhee should see an increase in snaps, especially on passing downs. McPhee matched his season-high of 18 defensive snaps after being inactive each of the three weeks prior.
Washington signed pass rusher Marcus Smith II this week. It’s unclear if he will be active and what role he will play with Anderson out.
Meanwhile, Bergstrom is now in a walking boot. He was previously using a medical scooter, per Kareem Copeland of the Washington Post.
Bergstrom has started seven games for the Redskins this season at both center and right guard as injuries across the offensive line has amounted. The last four starts were at right guard as Brandon Scherff suffered a season-ending torn pectoral in Week 9 against Atlanta. The Redskins also lost left guard Jonathan Cooper for the season in the Philadelphia loss to a torn biceps. Cooper too was a fill-in after Shawn Lauvao tore his ACL in the Atlanta game.
Bergstrom’s injury leaves the Redskins once again needing to plug in two new starters at the same time at the two guard positions. That’s on top of starting center Chase Roullier, one of two Redskins offensive linemen to start every game this season, being questionable with a knee injury. He did not practice Wednesday but was limited on Thursday and Friday.
Washington signed guard Zac Kerin and center Demetrius Rhaney this week. And head coach Jay Gruden says the team may rotate the offensive line as the game goes on.
Linebacker Zach Brown (illness) is also listed as questionable. He was a full participant in practice Friday.
Defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis (shin) is questionable and did not practice this week. He missed Monday’s game against Philadelphia.
“We’re going to check him out a little bit tomorrow and then right before the game, we will check him out and see how he’s feeling,” Gruden said Friday, per Redskins.com. “He’s got a bruise down there that’s pretty deep. He’s seen a couple of specialists and I think we’ll have to wait and see.”
Wide receiver Josh Doctson popped on the injury list on Friday after suffering a hip injury in practice. However, Gruden did not seem too concerned per Matthew Paras of the Washington Times.
