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History Says Keith Marshall Won’t Play This Season

By Connor Wilcoxen

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins running back Keith Marshall (39) on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Redskins 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins running back Keith Marshall (39) on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Redskins 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Keith Marshall was once considered a favorite to win the backup job for the Redskins. Now it is fair to wonder whether or not he will make the team.

On Monday afternoon, it was reported that Redskins running back Keith Marshall is likely to miss at least three weeks due to a left elbow sprain. Marshall suffered this injury during Friday’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.

Now, Jay Gruden and company are left with a difficult decision to make. Marshall was competing for the third running back spot on the depth chart with Robert Kelley, who is now considered the frontrunner for the spot because of his impressive performance against the Bills. The Redskins have to cut their roster down to 53 men after their final preseason game on Wednesday. This means that a lot of players need to be cut, and an injured rookie looks like an easy target.

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Essentially, the Redskins have three options to choose from. The first option: they can cut Marshall and free up a roster spot. The second option is to keep Marshall on the roster and see how he performs after his recovery. And the final option is to put Marshall on the injured reserve. In the case of the third option, he would not take up a roster spot, but would still be a part of the team. It would just mean he would not play this season.

History shows that this Redskins regime will most likely choose the third option, and you don’t have to look too far back either.

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) is tackled by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Martrell Spaight (50) after a catch during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) is tackled by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Martrell Spaight (50) after a catch during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

In fact, just last year the Skins had another rookie player, linebacker Martrell Spaight, put on the IR after he experienced concussion like symptoms, and was later diagnosed with a concussion, during the 2015 season opener.

Some parallels between these two instances are that both players were rookies, both had relatively moderate injuries, both got hurt before or very early in the season, both were fighting for playing time, and both were right around the third spot on the depth chart.

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Gruden and his staff have previously shown that they would rather give their young guys ample time to heal than to force them to play at less than 100 percent. Therefore, the most likely choice of action for the Redskins is to place Marshall on the IR and groom him into becoming a solid running back.

UPDATE: Marshall will officially be going to the IR, as confirmed by the Redskins Twitter account.

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