It’s not often a team in the middle of a playoff chase gets a bye week in Week 14. In the case of the Washington Commanders, it couldn’t come at a better time.
The Commanders have battled injuries throughout the season but have remained relatively healthy overall. However, in Sunday’s tie with the New York Giants, their injury luck began to change.
Right tackle Sam Cosmi, who made his first career start at right guard Sunday, left the game with an ankle injury. It does appear Cosmi escaped serious injury and could return for the Week 15 rematch.
Center Tyler Larsen doesn’t appear so lucky. Larsen, Washington’s fourth center this season, had been playing in the absence of starter Chase Roullier who was injured in Week 2 and lost for the season. Larsen was carted off the field late in Sunday’s game with a dislocated kneecap.
It’s unfortunate for Larsen and Washington. Larsen’s season ended prematurely last season after he replaced an injured Roullier midway through the season. Larsen suffered an Achilles injury in Week 14 and missed the remainder of the season. He began this season on the physically-unable-to-perform list, and Washington activated him on Oct. 8. He quickly replaced Nick Martin at center and stabilized the Commanders offensive line.
While Larsen’s injury is a big blow to Washington’s offensive line, the bye week gives the Commanders time to determine if they want Martin back at center or decide to move Wes Schweitzer to center. Schweitzer was activated ahead of Sunday’s game.
In addition to the offensive line injuries, the bye week gives players time to rest after a grueling season. Antonio Gibson, Logan Thomas, Trai Turner, Dax Milne and Jonathan Allen are among those who’ve been banged up recently.
The break also gives defensive end Chase Young an extra week as the Commanders hope Young can finally make his debut in Week 15.
While the bye week is perfect for the Week 15 rematch against the New York Giants, the decision to move the game to Sunday night puts the Commanders at a bit of a disadvantage for Week 16. Washington travels to San Francisco to play the red-hot 49ers on short rest for a game on Christmas Eve the following Saturday.
The Commanders aren’t complaining, though. To be playing meaningful football in December is a nice change.
