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Washington Redskins: Three reasons the offense will improve in 2018

By Ian Cummings

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Jay Gruden head coach of the Washington Redskins before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Jay Gruden head coach of the Washington Redskins before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins is carted off the field with his ankle in a cast during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Saints defeated the Redskins 34-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins is carted off the field with his ankle in a cast during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Saints defeated the Redskins 34-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Clean Bill of Health

Only the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers were hit nearly as hard by injuries as the Washington Redskins were last season. The Washington Redskins lost key starters on both sides of the ball, and before injuries struck, they looked like a team that would at least stay in the playoff conversation.

Injuries can make or break a season, and in 2017, the Washington Redskins found themselves on the losing end of that wishbone. It’s no guarantee that they have better luck in 2018 on that front, but it’s hard to imagine the Washington Redskins being so unlucky so soon after such a bad year.

Compound the unpredictable cycle of luck, which should swing into the Redskins’ favor this season, with the changes that have been made by the Washington Redskins, in order to improve player training and durability, and it’s safe to at least assume that the burgundy and gold won’t be so fragile.

When referencing injuries, it is also important to address the nature of the injuries. Many of the Washington Redskins’ injuries were not products of bad genetics, but rather, unfortunate timing and placement. Chris Thompson had a player roll on his knee. Montae Nicholson was led into the helmet by Pierre Garcon. Granted, once an injury happens, there’s always a greater risk for re-aggravation. But it shouldn’t be expected.

With another offseason, the Washington Redskins have a chance to get healthy before the 2018 season. Offensive players such as Chris Thompson, Jordan Reed, Trent Williams, and Morgan Moses will make the most of this time, and although it’s dangerous to assume that they’ll be fully healthy, the time they have to recover is valuable. Josh Doctson, the team’s No. 1 receiver, will also start the year fully healthy, something he hasn’t done yet in his career; Barring any unforeseen changes, that important aspect of this season should not go unnoticed. Every year is a clean slate. And the Washington Redskins needed it now more than ever.

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