Redskins Place Trent Williams On IR
The Redskins have formally placed tackle Trent Williams on injured reserve. Williams recently told reporters that he was due to undergo knee surgery, so he’ll now get a head start on the operation and recovery. 
Last year, Williams gutted it out to play ten games on his injured knee. Finally, the injury has caught up with him. The 6-8 Redskins aren’t playing for much in these final two games, so it didn’t make sense for them to put him out on the field.
The Redskins face the Broncos on Sunday before wrapping up their season against the Giants. Against Denver, the Redskins will be shorthanded as running back LeShun Daniels and linebackers Zach Brown and Ryan Anderson have also been ruled out. Meanwhile, the status of running back Samaje Perine is up in the air after he suffered a groin injury in practice this week.
Paul Guenther An Option For Redskins
- Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther‘s contract will expire following the 2017 campaign, meaning he’s likely to either replace Marvin Lewis as Cincinnati’s head coach or move to another club as DC, reports Breer. Confirming what Michael Lombardi of the Ringer mentioned earlier this month, Breer notes that Guenther could conceivably be hired by the Redskins, who employ former Bengals OC Jay Gruden as head coach. Cincinnati has finished 14th, 10th, and 17th in defensive DVOA in thee full seasons under Guenther, and currently rank 18th this year.
Trent Williams Likely Done For Season
Redskins tackle Trent Williams says he likely won’t play again this season, barring an emergency situation (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s John Keim).
Williams said earlier this season an offseason knee surgery will be required, and an approximate six-month rehab process will come with it. However, the eighth-year left tackle said there’s a chance he’ll undergo surgery on his knee next week before the team’s season finale. It’s not immediately clear whether the team will place Williams on IR, however.
Williams played through this injury and started 10 games this year. This surgery rehab going as planned would put him in line to be ready by training camp, witht eh former first-round pick presumably missing all other Washington offseason activities while he recovers.
The 29-year-old Williams is entrenched as the Redskins’ left tackle. He’s under contract through 2020, including a $13.95MM cap number for next year.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Vontarrius Dora, WR Rashad Ross
- Waived: LB Kevin Snyder
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: OL Javarius Leamon, OL Oni Omoile
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DB Trevon Hartfield
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Adairius Barnes
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: QB Jerod Evans
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Zach Conque
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Arthur Miley
- Waived: DT Jeremy Liggins
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB James Onwualu
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Bernard Reedy
- Waived: DL Marcus Hardison
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Amba Etta-Tawo
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: S Stefan McClure
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Alex Carter, DE Noble Nwachukwu
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DE Johnny Maxey
- Waived: TE Jerome Cunningham
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DE Tavaris Barnes
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Bronson Hill
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Brittan Golden
Buffalo Bills
- Designated to return from injured reserve: S Colt Anderson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB B.W. Webb
- Placed on injured reserve: DB Derrick Kindred
Denver Broncos
- Promoted to active roster: CB Michael Hunter
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Shane Ray (story)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed off Broncos‘ practice squad: OL Dillon Day
- Waived: FB Joe Kerridge
New York Giants
- Activated from injured reserve: DE Romeo Okwara
- Waived: LB Jeremy Cash
New York Jets
- Waived from injured reserve: LB Edmond Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: LB Kache Palacio
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted to active roster: LB Nigel Harris, DT Channing Ward
Washington Redskins
- Promoted to active roster: S Fish Smithson
- Placed on injured reserve: S Montae Nicholson
Chargers Make Kicker Change
The Chargers are making a kicker change. Kicker Nick Rose has been claimed off waivers from the Redskins. Meanwhile, kicker Travis Coons has been waived. 
Rose filled in for the Redskins while Dustin Hopkins was sidelined with a hip injury. Rose did well in Hopkins’ absence, connecting 10 of 11 field goal attempts and 18 of 20 extra point tries. On Saturday, Hopkins returned to action, displacing Rose.
The Redskins have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but the 7-7 Chargers still have a chance to make the postseason. In that sense, it’s an upgrade for Rose.
The Bolts have a 6% chance of overtaking the Chiefs in the AFC West and slightly better odds of securing a Wild Card spot, per the New York Times’ playoff calculator. In order to have any chance at the playoffs, the Chargers must beat the Jets on Christmas Eve.
In other Chargers news, tight end Hunter Henry has suffered a lacerated kidney (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). His status going forward is uncertain.
Redskins Wanted Paul Guenther As DC
- Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is considered a candidate to become Bengals head coach in 2018, but if he’s not promoted, Guenther could end up as the Redskins‘ DC next year, tweets Michael Lombardi of the Ringer. Washington head coach Jay Gruden (who worked with Guenther in Cincinnati) wanted to hire Guenther as his defensive coordinator a season ago, but the Bengals would not release his contract. Cincinnati has finished 14th, 10, and 17th in defensive DVOA in thee full seasons under Guenther, and ranked 19th heading into Week 15.
Redskins Activate K Dustin Hopkins
Despite the Redskins headed toward a second consecutive playoff absence, the team will bring its kicker back for this season’s final games.
Washington activated Dustin Hopkins from injured reserve on Saturday. He will replace kicker Nick Rose, whom the team waived, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
A strained muscle in Hopkins’ hip resulted in the IR placement, but he’ll be back in time for Week 15. This is Hopkins’ third NFL season; he’d kicked in 31 Redskins regular-season games prior to appearing in just five thus far this season.
Rose fared well in Hopkins’ absence, making 10 of 11 field goal tries. He made 18 of 20 extra point attempts in the eight games since being summoned to replace the incumbent. He’ll now head to waivers and could well warrant an opportunity as a free agent at some point soon if unclaimed.
Josh Norman Expresses Frustration With Redskins
- Cornerback Josh Norman is fewer than two years into a five-year contract with the Redskins, but following back-to-back blowout losses, and second consecutive season that will end without a postseason berth, the All Pro defensive back sounds frustrated, according to Kimberley A. Martin of the Washington Post. “I came here to win a championship,” Norman said. “If we’re not doing that, what are we doing? Why are we here? Because I’m not going to be a part of something that’s not going to go forward and win a championship. That’s serious. I don’t care about the money.” Norman is currently struggling through his worst campaign since 2013, but Washington’s pass defense nonetheless ranks 11th by DVOA.
- When Bruce Arians had preliminary thoughts of retirement following the 2016 season, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim “looked into” Sean McVay as a potential replacement, reports Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com. McVay, of course, has turned the Rams into a contender in his first season as head coach, and Breer suggests that Keim’s interest in the former Redskins offensive coordinator could hint at what type of candidates Arizona would look at if Arians retires this offseason. That could potentially mean that Keim and the rest of the Cardinals front office would search for both youth and an offensive mind if they are forced to find a new head coach.
Latest On Scot McCloughan Grievance
- Former general manager Scot McCloughan‘s grievance against the Redskins could cause problems for the club’s scouting staff (every member of which could be asked to testify), a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. If Washington’s personnel members favor McCloughan, they could potentially face retribution from current ream president Bruce Allen, but if the scouts speak in favor of the Redskins, they fear other teams — who possibly enjoy a relationship with McCloughan — may not hire them in the future, per Florio. The hearing for McCloughan’s grievance is set to begin next Monday, December 18.