Montez Sweat family tragedy brings more sadness to Washington locker room

After the Washington Football Team‘s 56-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, Ron Rivera was quick to point out the fact that his players were just days removed from taking in the devastating news surrounding Deshazor Everett.

One of the longest-tenured players on the roster and a true impact player on special teams, Everett was the driver in a fatal one-car crash that killed the lone passenger in the vehicle, his 29-year-old girlfriend, Olivia.

Everett has since been discharged from the hospital after he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police are still investigating what caused the crash and Everett has not yet been charged with any crime.

Given Everett’s presence in the locker room, you can only imagine what was going through the minds of his teammates leading up to Sunday’s kickoff.

Unfortunately, Washington’s locker room has to come to grips with another tragedy while it’s still recuperating from the Everett news.

Per reports, Montez Sweat missed Wednesday’s practice following the death of his brother, Anthony, who was shot and killed in Henrico County, Virginia on Tuesday.

He was 27 years old.

Washington Football Team defensive end Montez Sweat’s brother was shot and killed Tuesday in Virginia.

According to reports, Henrico police received calls for a shooting just after 4 p.m. ET in the 7600 block of Wistar Village drive. Sweat’s brother, the only victim of the shooting, was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

The gunshots forced individuals in the neighborhood to seek shelter, but a select few remained at the scene to render assistance.

At that point, it was too late.

"“It is rough, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families,” Rivera said in response to the news, via Richmond.com “We try to make sure that players understand that we’re here for them. We do have a team psychologist and she’s available, as well as myself (and the other coaches). … We’re there for them.”"

It’s currently unclear whether Sweat will rejoin Washington ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Eagles. In 10 games this season, the former first-round pick has tallied five sacks, 13 QB hits and three forced fumbles.