Nobody needs to tell Washington Commanders fans that their fortunes this season have been significantly hindered by injuries. It's been one problem after another for head coach Dan Quinn to navigate, and it's shown no real signs of slowing down late in the campaign.
One player has suffered more than most. And his latest injury setback means the Commanders have every right to take matters into their own hands.
Noah Brown's health problems started last season with a serious internal issue that required kidney surgery. He got a new one-year deal from the Commanders but was carted off with a knee injury at Washington's mandatory minicamp. He returned in time for Week 1, but didn't even make it through two contests before going down with an ankle complication.
Commanders must transition away from Noah Brown after another injury setback
It was another long road back for Brown. However, the former Ohio State standout eventually came back into the fold in Week 14 versus the Minnesota Vikings.
He came through that one unscathed, but it didn't last.
Brown left the game against the New York Giants relatively early. He was initially listed as questionable to return with a rib injury. But when the wideout got additional tests in the locker room, he was quickly ruled out.
This has become Brown's depressing reality.
He cannot stay healthy. It's been a luckless run on the injury front, and even though the player is clearly talented, the best ability is availability in the NFL. There is no point pushing Brown too hard at this late stage, given the Commanders have nothing to play for. Just give him the correct time to heal before both parties go their separate ways when his contract expires in the spring.
It might sound harsh, but when available, Brown's presence limits the number of targets available to Treylon Burks and Jaylin Lane. They have much better long-term upside and should now be preferred. Brown is a spent force in Washington, unable to put together any run due to one injury concern after another. That's the bottom line.
Brown will always be remembered fondly in Washington for his Hail Mary miracle catch to beat the Chicago Bears last season. But everything runs its course in the end, and it seems like the pass-catcher's time in Washington is going to end on a sour note.
There is no miracle cure when the injury bug bites a player. Brown is finding this out to his cost, and this would be a good time for the Commanders to see what others can do.