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Redskins: Evaluating roles for the cornerbacks in wake of Josh Norman’s injury

By Jacob Camenker

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Redskins breaks up a pass intended for Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Redskins breaks up a pass intended for Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Redskins breaks up a pass intended for Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Redskins breaks up a pass intended for Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Kendall Fuller

Of the bat, many may think that Kendall Fuller would be the guy to step up into the starting role. The second year cornerback earned the starting nickel role this season, and he has done well so far in the slot. With Norman out, it’s possible that Fuller could see an increase in playing time as he works to play both inside and outside.

Fuller has been playing roughly 67 percent of the snaps this year, but there is room for him to play much more. Considering that Breeland has played nearly 97 percent of snaps, it’s possible that Fuller could see more action with Norman out. The Redskins could opt to play Fuller outside when they’re not in nickel, and then they could opt to move him inside when they play nickel. This would be beneficial, given that Fuller is the third best corner on the team behind Norman and Breeland.

However, this could end up being a risk for the Redskins if they end up trying to execute this plan. Fuller has done very well in the slot, so moving him out of there may not work as well as it projects to on paper. Tasking Fuller with playing multiple positions could end up getting him crossed up in certain situations. He has the talent to do this, but there’s no guarantee that he would be able to find success with additional responsibilities that he may not be prepared to take on.

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Of course, the Redskins do have the bye week to figure this out. So if they think that Fuller is the top option for the team, they can get him ready to go. At the same time, it’s probable that the Redskins will opt to utilize a different player at the position occupied by Norman. A player who has been training at his position for almost all of the offseason.

If anything, it would make more sense for the Redskins to play in nickel at a higher percentage so that Fuller can help the new starter in coverage or allow the Redskins to play different matchups that they think they can exploit. But it seems unlikely that he will play outside for many snaps in the coming weeks.

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