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Redskins Roster Projection: No Colt McCoy, team goes light in backfield

By Jacob Camenker

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 08: Quarterback Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins calls a play from the line of scrimmage during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 08: Quarterback Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins calls a play from the line of scrimmage during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Quarterback (2)

Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins

Remember when the Redskins thought that Colt McCoy might be able to return for the playoffs in the event that they made it? Those were the good old days. Now, eight months removed from McCoy’s leg injury, he is still having major issues with it.

Recently, head coach Jay Gruden said that McCoy might not be ready to start the year and that he may be out until a couple of weeks into the season. If that’s the case, the team should strongly consider placing him on Injured Reserve with a designated-for-return tag.

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At this point, McCoy isn’t going to be the starting quarterback. That ship has sailed. At best, he’s coming back to be the top backup. But if he isn’t right, there’s no point in having him on the roster. So, if the team stashes him until he’s fully healthy, they will get a chance to use his roster spot elsewhere while also retaining McCoy. And given the issues the team had at quarterback last year, they do probably want to hang onto McCoy.

If McCoy is placed on IR-DFR, he could return to the team after their Week 9 bye. Unfortunately, since McCoy has already practiced this offseason, he can’t go on the PUP list which would give him a chance to return after Week 6. But still, having McCoy halfway through the season and fully healthy is better than keeping him on the roster while unhealthy or cutting him outright.

Meanwhile, Keenum has been steady in the preseason and has done enough to earn the starting job. Haskins has flashed the upside that many expected he would after the team selected him 15th overall in the draft, but while he has shown growth, it still seems that he will start the season as a backup. But if Keenum struggles or Haskins continues to make strides on the practice field, the dynamic talent could see action early in the season. And if not, he will almost certainly start at some point this year.

While the recently-signed Jalan McClendon has no chance of making the 53-man roster (barring a disaster), he will stand a chance of being stashed on the practice squad. He has a solid 6-foot-5 frame and good athletic ability, so perhaps he could work as a scout team quarterback while cross-training at some other positions.

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