Noah Brown has been seldom seen for the Washington Commanders this season. When it seemed like the wide receiver might be in line for an extended run before the campaign concluded, another brutal injury setback changed his course once again.
Brown went out of the contest early against the New York Giants with a hip injury. The Commanders won without him, but this caused nervousness among the fan base, given his recent health history.
Everyone's fears were confirmed. And it now seems as if Brown may have played his final snap with the Commanders.
Commanders place Noah Brown on IR again, likely ending his time in Washington
The team placed Brown on injured reserve for the second time this year, ending his campaign ahead of time. It's been a luckless run for the Ohio State product, who is undeniably talented but extremely unreliable these days.
Washington handed Brown another contract during the offseason despite sustaining a season-ending internal problem that required kidney surgery. He was carted off at mandatory minicamp with a knee issue, and the wideout lasted just two games early this season before going to the shelf due to an ankle tweak. After weeks of uncertainty, the Commanders placed him on injured reserve when they weren't satisfied with his recovery.
Brown came back against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. He caught one pass versus the Giants, but that was it. And unless he gets the benefit of the doubt once again, the Hail Mary miracle man will be free to take his chances elsewhere next season.
This isn't what the Commanders or Brown envisaged. His complications are a microcosm of how things have unfolded for Washington this season. It's been one devastating injury blow after another, but this does at least provide Treylon Burks with an extended audition before his fate is decided next spring.
As for Brown? His future in Washington, or lackthereof, looks like a foregone conclusion. The Commanders cannot rely upon him to stay healthy anymore. If that weren't the case, perhaps he'd get another chance to fight for his spot. He still might, but there won't be a better time to start fresh.
It's extremely unfortunate for Brown. He must wonder what he's done to deserve so many health problems in such a short timeframe. His immediate focus now turns to getting healthy enough to convince another organization he's worth the risk. And he can produce if he puts together a consistent run of games.
However, that shouldn't be in Washington. It might sound harsh, but the time for sentiment and half-measures is over.
We wish him well.