The Washington Football Team is making a change along the offensive line. Rookie offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles is expected to make his NFL debut by starting at left guard in place of the struggling Wes Martin, according to Sam Fortier of the Washington Post.
Charles was a fourth-round pick of Washington’s in this year NFL Draft after starting 28 games in college at LSU as a left tackle. However, early reports during the off-season suggested Charles would be worked out at guard.
Charles was hampered by a thigh injury going back to training camp and in part led to him being inactive for the first five games of the season. Now healthy, he has been worked in through practice and was inserted into the first team offensive line this week.
While head coach Ron Rivera believes Charles could play tackle, the decision to start him at left guard is a out of need, saying Charles “at the point of attack is a little more stout. This is a move to see what happens and how he handles it.”
A change was needed for Washington. Geron Christian has improved through the weeks at left tackle, leaving no other spot along the offensive line to a long-standing line. Washington averages a league-worst 3.5 yards per carry.
Martin unfortunately has the bull’s eye of blame for Washington’s offensive line struggles, particularly in the run game. Drafted in the fourth-round in 2019, Martin earned the starting left guard out of training camp. But, the former Indiana product struggled mightily in five games. Martin ranked 72nd out of 75 offensive guards in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
