Collins has become a key defensive player; McKissic is a veteran top runner on third downs
ASHBURN, Va. – The team of Washington Football Team will attempt to extend his three-game winning streak without two key players: safety / linebacker Landon Collins and running back JD McKissic. Both were ruled out for Sunday’s game at the Las Vegas Raiders due to injuries.
Both players were injured at the end of Monday’s victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Collins injured his foot, while McKissic suffered a concussion. Coach Ron Rivera reported that he does not know how much time Collins will lose.
It is a fundamental blow for Washington (5-6), as his recent hot streak led him to the seventh and final position in the NFC playoffs.
Collins has emerged as a key defensive player with a hybrid safety / linebacker role. He’s attacked the passer a lot more in this role – 20 times in the last five games combined compared to 10 times in the first six, according to research from ESPN Stats & Information. He also handles much of the communication in the last seven.
Collins has helped in part to the defensive change of Washington as one more piece in a three-safe lineup alongside Kam Curl and Bobby McCain. With Curl and Collins, Washington hoped to better disguise coverage, and offenses didn’t always know who might be breaking where, whether in coverage or blitzing.
Rivera pointed out that they would fulfill the role of Collins on a team basis. Washington he could choose to use more 3-corner sets, or he could use a linebacker like Khaleke Hudson or David Mayo in other places where more size is required.
McKissic serves as a third-down runner for Washington and has caught 43 passes for 397 yards and two touchdowns. He has also carried the ball 48 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns.
Washington still has Antonio Gibson as its main backup, but McKissic was an experienced backup when necessary. Rookie Jaret Patterson, with 32 carries for 104 yards, can also back Gibson.
Wendell Smallwood, who is on the Washington practice team, will be brought up to the active roster and serve as a third-down running back. From 2016 to 2019, with Philadelphia and Washington, he caught 56 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 233 times for 931 yards and five touchdowns.
To potentially make matters worse for Washington: Veteran left guard Ereck Flowers missed the final two days of practice with a foot injury. He is listed as questionable, although Rivera expressed confidence that he will be able to play. Veteran backup Wes Schweitzer, who would have started at center this week, is out with an ankle injury.
Catcher Curtis Samuel (groin), center Tyler Larsen (knee) and tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (hip) are in doubt. Samuel is expected to play.
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