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3 Redskins who will be X-factors if they avoid injuries

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins catches a touchdown against Patrick Robinson #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins catches a touchdown against Patrick Robinson #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins makes an interception over wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at FedExField on September 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins makes an interception over wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at FedExField on September 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. S Montae Nicholson

One of the key pieces of the Redskins defense is Montae Nicholson. While the team’s free safety was just a rookie in 2017, he had a big impact when he was on the field, and he could end up being a very good piece of the Redskins’ secondary.

Nicholson showed excellent range and cover skills during the 2017 season. He was expected to mainly use his rookie campaign to develop, and it was thought that he would be the team’s third safety at best. And that only happened after the squad lost Su’a Cravens when he abruptly decided to retire in one of the stranger stories of that season.

Still, Nicholson was able to step up and prove that he had a spot in the NFL. Many had criticized the Redskins for picking a raw, traits based prospect in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, but Nicholson proved to be a solid playmaker, and his signature game came against the Oakland Raiders in Week 3 of the NFL season.

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Against the Raiders, Nicholson was forced into extension action for the first time in his NFL career. He did very well to help lock down the Raiders offensive weaponry, and he recorded the first interception of his career. He made a major difference on the back end for the Skins, and it became apparent that he should be the favorite to start over Deshazor Everett.

Unfortunately, Nicholson dealt with a concussion that knocked him out for the final five games of the season. Concussions are very tricky injuries, and it’s possible that Nicholson was held out at the end of the year to ensure that he was fully healthy. At the same time, the injury is certainly a concerning one, as concussions can become career-long problems for some players. So, this is something to keep an eye on.

Additionally, Nicholson dealt with a shoulder injury during the offseason, after he had surgery to repair a torn labrum following the draft. That lingered a bit into the start of the 2017 campaign, but with an offseason to heal from that, perhaps he will be even better.

Nicholson is a true X-factor. If he’s healthy, he will be a key player in the secondary. And if he’s not, the team will have to rely on Everett, Troy Apke, Quin Blanding, and Kenny Ladler to fill in for him. That could be a major downgrade, so Nicholson’s health is truly a key for the Redskins this year.

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