Redskins players under criticism for injuries, but it was trainers who failed

Injuries ravaged the Redskins’ 2017 season, and now that it’s over, the blame game is in full effect.

Everyone can agree that the Redskins’ 2017 season did not go as planned. And most can agree that the mass influx of injuries was a prominent factor in deciding their fate. But who is to blame for the uncharacteristically large amount of injuries suffered? The answer to that question, strangely enough, is up for debate.

As the injury numbers piled up week after week, the training staff started to attract blind criticism from fans and spectators. The team seemed to lose multiple players every week, and by season’s end, they had a whopping 25 players on the injured reserve, and even more that had been banged up throughout the tumultuous campaign.

The injuries that tore apart a former playoff contender have since been a hot topic of discussion in press conferences and in locker room interviews. Jay Gruden has given his take, a diplomatic one, and others have echoed his sentiments. All, that is, except for first-year safety D.J. Swearinger. Per Matthew Paras of the Washington Times, here’s what Swearinger had to say about the health concerns in 2017:

"More from Riggo's RagHighlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL DraftCommanders News: Chase Young trade, draft day, CB riser and Sam HowellBet365 VA Bonus Code – Claim $200 Guaranteed With Sign-Up Bonus Personally, I’ve been on previous teams where after practice, you have 30 guys in the cold tub or you’ve got 20 guys in the cold tub. I didn’t feel that vibe from this team. Whether they do it here or elsewhere, I didn’t think guys took care of themselves."

Swearinger’s comments have since come under their own form of criticism. Some take issue with the fact that Swearinger, rather than addressing the issue with his team mates, took to the media to instead complain about them. Regardless of one’s thoughts on Swearinger’s comments, however, they provide a rare glimpse at what other teams are doing, relative to D.C.’s team. For that reason, Swearinger’s comments should not be ignored. Other teams are taking care of their bodies as a group. Other teams are prioritizing the process of keeping their bodies in the best shape possible. And for some reason, the Redskins are not.

Does this mean that the players are to blame, and not the training staff? Well, yes and no. Yes, the players have the most control over their bodies, and how they maintain them, so they should be aware of what is detrimental to their health. But at the same time, the trainers have an obligation to encourage certain activities. Activities that bode well for the players’ health. The trainers’ jobs are to keep the Redskins’ players in shape, after all. They can’t exercise control over the situation, but they can do a far better job of informing the players of the right decisions and nudging them in the right direction.

Next: Simulating the Redskins' 2018 offseason: Keeping Kirk

Health is a very important thing to maintain. And as D.J. Swearinger, who has been on three other teams in the NFL, has noted, the Redskins players can do better at maintaining their health. It’s up to the players to control their bodies and make the best decisions. But it’s up to the trainers to make sure they’re living up to that responsibility, and make changes if something isn’t working. Nothing changed in 2017. And in their own responsibility, the trainers failed.