The Commanders just got Jeremy McNichols back. Now they’re faced with losing him again.
The veteran running back and the team’s best pass protector from that position is reportedly out multiple months with a foot injury, despite the fact he’s still seeking opinions on how best to treat it.
That news was broken by Washington Post reporter Tashan Reed on Monday evening.
Head coach didn’t spill the beans but alluded to the fact there was belief the injury was significant.
“He does have a midfoot injury,” Quinn said in his Monday afternoon press conference. “I’m concerned it’s serious. They’re gonna do some more scans as we get through tomorrow. But it’s enough that we’re concerned today. I’ll give you an update as it goes to Wednesday, but it’s something that the team for sure is concerned with.”
McNichols suffered a significant quadriceps injury that kept him out most of training camp and all of the preseason. He started the season on injured reserve and missed the first five games. He returned to play in Week 6 against San Francisco, went through the bye and then suffered this foot injury during Sunday night’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
That will force the Commanders to add a running back, especially with Bill Croskey-Merritt currently on injured reserve rehabbing a groin injury. He must miss at least two more games on IR, but could be out longer than that.
Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler are the team’s only healthy rushers, so at least one must be added. It could be practice-squad options Craig Reynolds or Devin Neal. Or the Commanders could look outside the current roster.
“It’s definitely something that, once we go through the scans to see where we’re at, we have some [backs] on practice squad as well,” Quinn said, before news of the injury’s severity broke. “And with Bill not available to come back until the [Cincinnati] week, that’s something that we’ll have to discuss and see what the next would be if Jeremy in fact can’t go this weekend.”
The Commanders waived sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen – that may have been a mistake – and had talented, undrafted rookie Robert Henry poached off their practice squad. Now they’re searching for a backup option, though White and especially Ekeler are worthy of taking significant carries.
