Pre-Eagles game roster update
December 21, 2021
by Steve Thomas
UPDATE:
Washington has activated the following players from the Covid list:
CB Troy Apke
TE Sammis Reyes (concussion; out for tonight)
DT Tim Settle
Neither QB Taylor Heinicke nor QB Kyle Allen were released from Covid jail, so the team elevated Kyle Shurmur from the practice squad. Either the Garrett Gilbert or Kyle Shurmur era in Washington will begin tonight
The team also sent RB J.D. McKissic to injured reserve.
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To say that the Redskins Washington has had roster chaos over the last week or so isn’t doing the word “chaos” justice. Since today is finally gameday, after a two day delay, it seemed like an apropos time to give a short update about where the team stands in terms of game availability.
We’ve also updated our roster page (click here) and our salary cap page (click here) to reflect team status as of Monday night.
Covid list
There are currently 16 players remaining on the Covid-19 list, with several having escaped back to either the active roster or the practice squad. I’ll cover each in the individual position group summaries below. Be aware that the team has until 4:00 p.m. ET today, Tuesday, to active players from this list in time to play the Eagles, so this update may not necessarily be how the team ends up when they take the field at 7:00 pm ET.
As of Monday night, Washington’s active roster has grown back to a total of 47.
Offense
Quarterbacks
Right now, the only quarterback on the active roster is Garrett Gilbert, who was signed off of the Patriots practice squad this past Friday. Kyle Shurmur and Jordan Ta’amu are both on the practice squad and can be elevated for gameday. Ta’amu was signed last Wednesday. Both Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke are in Covid jail, so if either one pass the NFL’s dumb Covid protocols, then Heinicke or Allen, in that order, will be the starter. Otherwise, welcome to either the Garrett Gilbert or Kyle Shurmur era.
Offensive line
Samuel Cosmi was activated from the injured reserve yesterday, so he and Charles Leno will be the starters at tackle, with Saahdiq Charles as the backup swing tackle. Cornelius Lucas is on the Covid list. David Steinmetz is on the practice squad and could be elevated.
The team’s two active centers are Keith Ismael and Jon Toth. Chase Roullier and Wes Schweitzer are both on injured reserve. Tyler Larsen is on the Covid list and also has an achilles injury, so he’s definitely out no matter what.
The only active, true guards are Ereck Flowers and Jamil Douglas, who was signed off of waivers last Monday. Brandon Scherff was put on the Covid list yesterday. As mentioned above, Schweitzer is also on the Covid list.
There are a number of practice squad options at guard who could be elevated: Zack Bailey, Beau Benzschawel, Deion Calhoun, and Nolan Laufenberg.
Running backs
Antonio Gibson, Jaret Patterson, and Jonathan Williams are active and ready to play. J.D. McKissic remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and was declared out for the Eagles game. Wendell Smallwood was on the practice squad but was put on the Covid list.
Wide receivers
Miraculously, Terry McLaurin is somehow already out of concussion protocol and will be active for the game. Curtis Samuel, who has a hamstring injury, was declared out for the game. The rest of this position group is intact and active, with Cam Sims being released from Covid jail on Monday.
Tight Ends
Ricky Seals-Jones and John Bates are the only active tight ends. Seals-Jones was listed on the injury list on Sunday due to illness and is questionable for the game. Logan Thomas is on injured reserve and Sammis Reyes is in Covid jail.
Defense
Defensive line
Washington’s Covid problem appeared to start last week with Montez Sweat, who has also been on injured reserve with a broken jaw. Sweat escaped Covid prison on Saturday and was then activated from injured reserve on Monday. Chase Young is obviously on injured reserve, as is Jalen Jelks. Tim Settle and practice squad player William Bradley King are both on the Covid list. Other than that, the active defensive line group is back at full strength.
The practice squad includes David Bada, Tyler Clark, Hercules Mata’afa, and Gabe Wright.
Linebackers
Currently, the only active linebackers are Jamin Davis, Cole Holcomb, and Jordan Kunaszyk. Both Holcomb and Kunaszyk were on the injury list this week but practiced fully on Monday.
Jonathan Bostic is on injured reserve for the season, along with Khaleke Hudson and Jared Norris.
David Mayo and Milo Eifler are in Covid jail.
Corners
William Jackson III, Danny Johnson, Darryl Roberts, and Corn Elder are all active.
Torry McTyer and Benjamin St-Juste are on injured reserve. Kendall Fuller and Troy Apke are on the Covid list.
D.J. Hayden is on the practice squad and could be elevated for gameday.
Safeties
Kamren Curl and Darrick Forrest are in Covid jail.
Landon Collins, Deshazor Everett, Bobby McCain, and Jeremy Reaves are all active and ready to play.
Specialists
Camaron Cheeseman, Brian Johnson, and Tress Way are all active and ready. Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu is on the practice squad, and kicker Joey Slye is on injured reserve.
We will try to update this list on Tuesday and we approach gametime.