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Three takeaways from Washington Football Team’s Week 3 loss vs. Browns

By Jacob Camenker

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 27: Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman #80 of the Washington Football Team catches a touchdown pass while under pressure from strong safety Karl Joseph #42 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Washington Football Team 34-20. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 27: Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman #80 of the Washington Football Team catches a touchdown pass while under pressure from strong safety Karl Joseph #42 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Washington Football Team 34-20. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 27: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team looks on prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 27: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team looks on prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Defensive line injuries hurt despite depth

During the contest, Washington lost a couple of key defenders. Notably, star rookie Chase Young left the game with a groin injury and was declared out for the game. Matt Ioannidis also left with an arm injury and he didn’t return either.

Luckily, Washington has a lot of depth on the defensive line. Young’s absence afforded more snaps to Ryan Kerrigan and Ryan Anderson while Tim Settle was able to step into a backup role in place of Ioannidis. So, the drop-off to those players wasn’t massive.

That said, the injuries still obviously hurt Washington moving forward. Young and Ioannidis are two of the team’s best pure pass rushers and though they were still able to rack up some sacks and pressures, the duo will be missed if they have to miss time.

Moving forward, it will be critical to find out more about the injuries to these two. If either Young or Ioannidis is out long-term, guys like Kerrigan, Anderson, and Settle will get a chance to play more, but the likes of James Smith-Williams and Jordan Brailford may get call-ups to produce as well.

Washington’s depth is good. And the players they use should have a chance to step into the bigger roles successfully. But it will still be disappointing if Washington has to operate without either Young or Ioannidis given that the team’s defensive line is the biggest difference-maker for the team.

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