The Commanders will need a Christmas miracle to beat the Cowboys after the final injury report shows several key players out
The Commanders are starting third-string QB Josh Johnson, and will be without Daron Payne and Laremy Tunsil against the Cowboys.
The Washington Commanders are looking to shock the world on Christmas Day with a win against the Dallas Cowboys, and they’ll need a miracle to do so at this rate.
There are only two games left in this nightmare of a season, thankfully, and it’s not getting any better as they reach the final stretch of games. Injuries have been one of the biggest factors in the losing season, and they haven’t stopped yet.
The Commanders are on their final leg and won’t have Marcus Mariota available against the Cowboys, which leaves the worst-case scenario nobody wanted to see on Christmas.
The Commanders will be starting third-string QB Josh Johnson against the Cowboys
Mariota went down at the start of the second half last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, and his status was in doubt with a short week ahead. Head coach Dan Quinn said that Mariota had to get stitches in his throwing hand and also dealt with a quad injury. He finally announced today that Josh Johnson would get the start, and QB Jeff Driskel would be the backup after rejoining the team this week.
Johnson came in when Mariota went down, and finished 5-9, for 43 yards and an interception. The Commanders have a long break before playing the Eagles in the final game, so Mariota has a chance to be back by then. The Commanders will also be without two more key players on both sides of the ball.
The Commanders rule out Daron Payne and Laremy Tunsil
The bad news didn’t stop there, as Quinn also said that the team has ruled out defensive tackle Daron Payne and left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil has had an oblique injury and missed the Eagles game last week, while Payne has a back injury that’s holding him back from going.
Brandon Coleman started at left tackle for Tunsil last week, and he went down late in the game as well with a shin injury, but he was a full participant all week. Payne being out means that Johnny Newton will get more snaps and a chance to show what he can do after a quiet season. The Commanders also elevated UDFA Rickey Barber, who might get some playing time.
The injuries couldn’t get much worse this season, but even in the last few games, key players continue to miss games, and we’ve hit rock bottom of the season.
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