Dwayne Haskins Done For The Year
Dwayne Haskins‘ rookie year is in the books. The Redskins have ruled out their young quarterback for Week 17 as he deals with an ankle injury, interim head coach Bill Callahan announced Monday.
Haskins went down with the ankle injury late in Washington’s loss to the Giants this past week. He apparently lobbied to come back into the game, but Redskins owner Dan Snyder personally intervened and told him not to go back into the game. That was certainly an unusual development, and one that signaled the franchise would be extremely cautious with their young signal-caller. With Haskins inactive, Case Keenum will presumably draw the start in the finale against the Cowboys, while Colt McCoy will back him up.
After setting records during his one year as Ohio State’s starter, Haskins was drafted 15th overall back in April. After starting the year off on the bench behind Keenum, Haskins took over around the midpoint of the season, not too long after Jay Gruden was fired. He initially struggled mightily with a depleted offense around him, but had started to come on strong the last couple of weeks.
He had his best game as a pro two weeks ago in a near-upset win over the Eagles, completing 19 of 28 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns. He was also playing quite well before going down against New York. He’ll finish his rookie year having completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 1,365 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions, while averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. Washington is headed for a crucial offseason, as they must pick a new head coach while also dramatically upgrading their weapons. Barring something crazy happening, Haskins will be under center in Week 1 come 2020.
Injury Updates: Ingram, Haskins, Murray
Here are the key injuries which we’ve seen some reporting on:
- The Ravens officially clinched the top seed in the AFC with their win over the Browns on Sunday, but Baltimore fans were left holding their breath when running back Mark Ingram went down with a calf injury. Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after the game there’s no structural damage, but a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.com that Ingram suffered a calf strain (Twitter link). Ingram was wearing a walking boot after a game, via a tweet from Josina Anderson of ESPN. Harbaugh was trying to sound optimistic, but calf strains can linger. Fortunately for Baltimore, he’ll have Week 17 and a first-round bye to rest.
- Dwayne Haskins has been getting a lot better recently, so it was unfortunate to see him go down with an ankle injury during the Redskins’ loss to the Giants. Interestingly, Haskins said after the game that he lobbied to return, but owner Dan Snyder personally told him not to go back in, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Normally it’d be unusual for an owner to be consulting directly with a player during a game, but this is the Redskins we’re talking about. Washington is in line for the second overall pick right now, and they could opt to be conservative and sit Haskins in Week 17.
- Speaking of rookie quarterbacks, Kyler Murray was also knocked out on Sunday with a hamstring injury. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters after the game he wasn’t sure if Murray would be able to play in Week 17 against the Rams. Murray had a large wrap on his hamstring and if it was bad enough to knock him out immediately he could be up against it to play next week. Brett Hundley, who finished off Arizona’s upset win over the Seahawks, would start next week if he isn’t ready.
- One last quarterback update, as Mason Rudolph was sidelined with a shoulder injury shortly after being reinserted for a benched Devlin Hodges. The Steelers’ quarterback situation is an absolute mess right now as they prepare for a must-win game against the Ravens. Hodges came back in for Rudolph, and resumed struggling. Rudolph provided an instant spark after relieving Hodges, so he’ll almost certainly start against Baltimore if he’s healthy. Rudolph was seen leaving the stadium with his arm in a sling, per Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link).
- The Titans can clinch a playoff berth with a Week 17 win over the Texans, and fortunately they’ll be getting a boost to their offense. Running back Derrick Henry was inactive for their loss to the Saints on Sunday, but he is expected to play against Houston, a source told Schefter (Twitter link). Henry has been dealing with a hamstring issue.
- The winner of the Week 17 game between the 49ers and Seahawks will determine who wins the NFC West and in turn hosts a playoff game, and both sides are banged up. San Francisco pass-rusher Dee Ford has missed most of the last month with a hamstring injury and he’s not expected to play against Seattle, a source told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. They gave up a second-round pick to land Ford this offseason, then signed him to a massive extension, and he’s been a bit of a disappointment. Fortunately for the 49ers, the Seahawks are dealing with even more significant health issues.
NFL Workout Updates: 12/17/19
Here are Tuesday’s notable workout updates:
Chicago Bears
- TE Darion Clark, G Joshua Garnett, WR Geno Lewis*, TE Alize Mack, RB William Stanback*
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions
- DT Jamie Meder, LB Derrick Moncrief*, DE Mike Moore*, DT David Parry, DT Adolphus Washington
Green Bay Packers
- RB Alex Collins, WR Emanuel Hall, QB Tanner Lee
Los Angeles Chargers
- LB Cameron Judge*, LB Nick Usher*
Washington Redskins
- CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB Chris Campbell, CB Dee Delaney, CB KeiVarae Russell
* = CFL player
Redskins Place Brandon Scherff On IR
Brandon Scherff has played the final game of his Redskins rookie contract. The team placed its top offensive lineman on IR Tuesday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
The fifth-year guard is in line to be one of the top free agents on the 2020 market. Washington has the option of the franchise tag. Teams have not been big on tagging guards this decade, with the Patriots’ 2011 tag for Logan Mankins being the most recent such move. But with the team expected to move on from Trent Williams, it might place a greater emphasis on retaining Scherff. An offensive line franchise tag is expected to cost just more than $15MM.
The Redskins and their Pro Bowl blocker did not progress far in contract talks previously. With the guard market recently spiking past $14MM AAV, via Zack Martin and Brandon Brooks extensions, a two-time Pro Bowler who will be set for an age-28 season will be a threat to eclipse that on the open market. It would likely take a massive commitment to keep Scherff from hitting free agency.
A 2015 top-five pick, Scherff missed time because of elbow and shoulder injuries this season. His 2018 slate came to an end early because of a pectoral injury. He’s started 65 games for the Redskins, making the Pro Bowl in 2017 and ’18.
Washington also placed wideout Trey Quinn and cornerback Jimmy Moreland on IR and signed cornerbacks Kayvon Webster and Coty Sensabaugh.
Urban Meyer: “I Think I’m Done Coaching”
Recent reports have connected Urban Meyer to the Cowboys’ head coaching job, which is widely expected to become vacant at the end of the season. In addition, Meyer was at FedEx Field on Sunday to take in the Eagles-Redskins game, which gave rise to a report that Washington would also make a play for Meyer for its own HC post.
While Meyer would almost certainly prefer to coach the Cowboys instead of the Redskins, Meyer himself said, “I think I’m done coaching,” as Brit Hume of Fox News tweets. Per Hume, Meyer was in town for a White House Christmas party after attending Saturday’s Army-Navy game, and he knew his presence at the Redskins’ home venue would create additional speculation about his future plans.
Of course, Meyer could have simply been trying to deflect such speculation, and he did recently indicate that the Dallas gig appealed to him. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says Meyer is certainly enjoying his retirement from coaching, but he tells us to “stay tuned” (Twitter link).
For what it’s worth, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he will wait until after the season to evaluate head coach Jason Garrett, as Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes. But barring a Super Bowl win, it feels like Garrett will be seeking new employment in 2020.
Meyer is one of the most accomplished head coaches in college football history and boasts a 187-32 career record that includes a whopping 12-3 mark in bowl games. He also won three national championships, two with Florida and one with Ohio State.
East Rumors: Rhule, Meyer, Jets
Despite reports connecting the Cowboys to Lincoln Riley and Urban Meyer, team owner Jerry Jones on Saturday downplayed the notion that he would pursue a college coach this offseason. However, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says Jones remains interested in Riley, and he is also paying close attention to Baylor head coach Matt Rhule.
Rhule was a hot name on the NFL head coaching circuit last year and reportedly could have had the Jets’ job if he agreed to certain appointments to his coaching staff. He signed an eight-year extension with Baylor in September, but pro teams are still interested in him. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network shot down recent speculation that the Cowboys would pursue Sean Payton, but he says Dallas made it known through back channels last offseason it was interested in the Saints’ HC, which helped Payton land his extension with New Orleans in September (video link).
Now for more from the league’s east divisions:
- The Cowboys may not be the only team interested in Meyer. As JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington tweets, Meyer is at FedEx field for the Redskins‘ contest against the Eagles today, and Washington would love to land Meyer as its next HC. Meyer, of course, served as Dwayne Haskins‘ head coach at Ohio State, but it seems like the Redskins don’t really meet Meyer’s criteria for coming out of retirement.
- Rich Cimini of ESPN.com expects the Jets to overhaul 50% of their roster this offseason, and he unsurprisingly names Brian Winters and Quincy Enunwa as two of the big-name players who could be cut. He also says that, if New York retains Le’Veon Bell, it should bring in another RB with the speed to run outside the tackles.
- Though the Patriots just cut kicker Josh Gable two days after adding him to the practice squad, head coach Bill Belichick suggested that Gable could be back in 2020 as possible competition for Stephen Gostkowski, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes.
- In the same piece linked above, Reiss says Patriots D-line coach Bret Bielema, a former collegiate head coach with Wisconsin and Arkansas, is generating interest from college teams. Bielema is said to be open to such an opportunity if the right one presents itself.
- The NFL’s decision on the Patriots‘ punishment for Spygate 2.0 is expected shortly.
Redskins Place Paul Richardson On IR
Having only played one game since November 3, Paul Richardson will not return to action until 2020. The Redskins placed the sixth-year wide receiver on IR Saturday.
Washington promoted tackle Timon Parris to take Richardson’s roster spot. The former Seahawks contract-year standout has been battling a hamstring injury. After getting in two limited practices this week, Richardson did not practice Friday. The Redskins had previously declared both Richardson and fellow wideout Trey Quinn out for Week 15.
A 2018 free agent signing, Richardson has not worked out like the franchise hoped. He will fail to exceed 300 receiving yards for the fifth time in six NFL seasons, having done so only during his 2017 Seattle contract year. This season, the deep threat averaged a career-low 8.8 yards per catch, hauling in 28 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns. Richardson’s first two seasons with Washington will have included 15 missed games by year’s end.
The Redskins gave Richardson a five-year, $40MM contract last March. Should Washington opt to move on from the 27-year-old target, the franchise would only save $2.5MM while incurring $6MM in dead money. Richardson is due a non-guaranteed $6MM base salary in 2020.
Redskins Place Ryan Kerrigan On IR
The Redskins have placed linebacker Ryan Kerrigan on injured reserve, interim head coach Bill Callahan says. With that, the veteran has played his final game of the season, and possibly his final game in Washington. 
[RELATED: Redskins Place Derrius Guice On IR]
Kerrigan remains under contract for 2020 with a base salary of $11.5MM, but it’s completely non-guaranteed. The Redskins could, in theory, walk from the 31-year-old (32 in August) with no fiscal penalty and put those resources elsewhere.
The 2011 first-round pick missed the first game of his career in Week 13, thanks to a concussion. With his his 139-game streak over, he returned to action against the Packers, only to suffer an injury after sacking Aaron Rodgers.
Kerrigan finishes out 2019 with 25 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Meanwhile, he’s got 90 career sacks and 436 total tackles in the NFL.
At 3-10, the Redskins are currently slated to pick No. 3 overall. They’re also projected to have $40MM+ in cap space.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/19
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed DL Caraun Reid
- Placed on IR: DL Rodney Gunter
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: OT Mitch Hyatt
- Placed on IR: WR Cedrick Wilson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Dakota Allen, C Tyler Gauthier
- Placed on IR: LB Jake Ryan
Miami Dolphins
- Signed off New England’s practice squad: DB Nate Brooks
- Signed off Tennessee’s practice squad: LB Jamal Davis
- Claimed off waivers from Packers: OT Adam Pankey
- Placed on IR: CBs Ryan Lewis and Ken Webster
- Waived: RB Zach Zenner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Ishmael Hyman
Washington Redskins
- Suspended: CB Simeon Thomas (four games)
Interestingly Dallas’ hand was forced with Hyatt, as they promoted the offensive lineman because another team was trying to poach him away, a source told Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). He’s a rookie UDFA from Clemson. Elsewhere, the Dolphins are scooping up players from other teams left and right as they build for 2020.
Redskins Place Derrius Guice On IR
Derrius Guice‘s season is officially over. The Redskins placed their young running back on injured reserve with a knee injury today, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
Rapoport tweeted earlier today that the official diagnosis was an MCL sprain and that the team would be cautious with him, so this isn’t too surprising. Fortunately, his ACL was spared. Guice has had some brutal injury luck during his brief time in the NFL, as this is at least his third significant knee issue since becoming a pro. Washington drafted Guice in the second round last year, and he tore an ACL during his first preseason.
The initial ACL tear didn’t heal right, and resulted in multiple infections and an extended recovery. He was able to battle his way back to make it back on the field for Week 1 of this season, and promptly went down with another knee injury. He was placed on injured reserve, and then activated after sitting out the required eight games.
During the five contests he ended up appearing in this season, he mostly split time with Adrian Peterson. He had a breakout game two weeks ago in Washington’s win over the Panthers, carrying the ball ten times for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Guice obviously has a rough injury history, but he won’t turn 23 until June and he’s obviously still high on talent. The latest MCL issue isn’t considered serious, and he should have a good chance of being the Redskins’ featured back next year if he can stay healthy.