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Ziggy Hood won’t play in Redskins finale after fracturing elbow

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Nose tackle Ziggy Hood #90 of the Washington Redskins is helped off the field after being injuried in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Nose tackle Ziggy Hood #90 of the Washington Redskins is helped off the field after being injuried in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins suffered yet another injury last Sunday. Ziggy Hood fractured his elbow and that will end his season.

There’s just one game left in the Washington Redskins season, so it’s unlikely that the team will risk letting some of their top players get hurt against the Giants. In all likelihood, the Redskins will use this opportunity as a time to give some of their younger players some action. Guys that are fighting for roster spots will also play, and that will give the team a chance to look at what they have for the future.

One started who has already been confirmed out for Sunday’s game is Ziggy Hood. The team’s starting nose tackle suffered a brutal looking elbow fracture in Week 16’s win over the Broncos. The news was first reported by ESPN’s John Keim. His absence likely means more snaps for A.J. Francis, but being without Hood is somewhat of a blow for the Redskins.

Over the course of the past two seasons, Hood has played in all 31 of the Redskins games and drew a start in 27 of them. Originally, he was signed to reserve/future contract during the Super Bowl in 2016. During that offseason, he impressed Jay Gruden enough to earn the job as the starting left end. However, Hood had to switch positions after injuries took their toll.

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In each of the past two seasons, the Redskins starting nose tackle has suffered a season ending injury early in the season. In 2016, Kedric Golston went down with a hamstring issue and never returned. During the preseason of 2017, Phil Taylor suffered a quad injury that ended his year.

Both times, Hood was tapped as the replacement for each guy. Though he isn’t a natural nose tackle, Hood did the best he could to fill in at the position. It took guts and heart to play the way he has, and he deserves credit for that. He is far from the best nose tackle in the league, but his versatility allowed him to give the team options, and also opened a door for Jonathan Allen to step into the starting lineup.

Hood’s elbow injury isn’t expected to require surgery, so that is good news for the versatile defensive lineman. He will likely be back and ready to play well before training camp begins, and that’s a good thing because the Redskins will need him.

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Hood’s injury was just another tough one to see on the laundry list of injuries that the team has suffered during the 2017 campaign. His toughness and willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team win didn’t go unnoticed and he deserves credit for playing out of position for a second straight year.

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