LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins is carted off the field after an injury during the second half of the game against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
After a fairly scary-looking injury on Sunday, Redskins rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins looks to be highly questionable for Week 17.
On the first play of third quarter Sunday against the New York Giants, Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins had his ankle bent back awkwardly on a sack. He had to be carted to the locker room, and Case Keenum came it to finish what would be an overtime loss.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Haskins is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain. An MRI and some other tests are slated for Monday, but his status for Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys is obviously up in the air at best if it’s shown he indeed has a high ankle sprain.
Haskins was playing very well before going down, with 12 completions on 15 attempts for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Keenum wound up going 16-for-22 for 158 yards and a touchdowm during his relief stint.
Next Sunday’s game is big for Dallas, as they need a win to have any chance to win the NFC East. But it’s also big in another way for Washington. Sunday’s loss to the Giants dropped them to 3-12 and put them into the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft if the season were over. A loss in Week 17 would cement the second overall pick.
Haskins will surely want to play next Sunday, and the proven ineptitude of the Redskins’ medical staff may declare him able to do so. But there’s nothing to gain by risking his long-term health in a meaningless game, leaving aside any difference that may come from picking as high as second overall or as low as fifth overall in April.
The smart decision for the Redskins would be to sit Haskins and start Keenum on Sunday against the Cowboys. But smart decisions from that organization on such matters are rare, so nothing should be assumed.