Redskins lose three offensive starters to season-ending injuries

So, we have some bad news for you.

I’m just gonna cut right to the chase. Brandon Scherff is out for the year with a torn pectoral. Shawn Lauvao is out for the year with a torn ACL. And 2018 free agent acquisition Paul Richardson will also see his season end, as he undergoes surgery for multiple injuries. Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden announced the news at a press conference today. It was subsequently relayed by various reporters, such as D.C. sports reporter Craig Hoffman.

Lauvao was the first to go down on Sunday. On the first drive of the game, while defending a bull rush, the long-time Redskins starter took a wrong step and crumpled to the ground. Brandon Scherff was injured later in the game. Neither player returned.

Paul Richardson’s injury was slow-moving. According to Gruden, Richardson had battled through injuries for eight weeks, but the Redskins decided it was time for him to focus on getting better. With their fastest receiver out for the year, Washington will need someone to step up. Trey Quinn should return from injured reserve soon, but he shouldn’t be expected to match Richardson’s impact.

While Richardson’s loss hurts, the injuries to the offensive line are drastic in comparison. The team’s offense revolves around its offensive line. Without a highly-functioning line, Adrian Peterson will see his success wane, and the passing game will need to start implementing shorter route concepts, and quicker-developing plays. The depth at offensive line was already shot. Now, for an entire half of a season, that issue will come to the forefront.

Luckily for the Redskins, Morgan Moses’ injury is less severe, and he should be able to return to action soon. But one man does not make a unit. With Scherff and Lauvao gone for the year, and Trent Williams set to sit for a month, the Redskins starting lineup is shaping up to be a mix-and-match of reserve players. It’s far from an ideal situation. The Redskins may have to change who they are entirely.

It will be a tall task for Jay Gruden to keep the ship straight in the midst of these injuries. Scherff, in particular, was a linchpin on the line, and a key contributor to whatever success the offense sustained. His loss will be the worst of all, by far, and in the coming weeks, one should expect the Redskins to look around for options to bridge the gap. No one will match Scherff’s impact, but the depth on the interior is now a primary concern. Stick with us for any updates on the situation; in times like these, ‘volatile’ is too accurate a word.