Washington Injury Updates: Brandon Scherff returns to practice from IR, Kyle Allen on track to start Sunday

Brandon Scherff suffered an MCL injury in Week 2 when an Arizona Cardinals defender rolled up on the back of his leg. The news was better than expected and it was reported that he would miss 3-5 weeks, Scherff was placed on injured reserved, but this year’s COVID-19 rules allow players to only need to miss 3 weeks before being able to return to practice. Teams then have a 3 week window to return players to the active roster.

Brandon Scherff has officially returned to practice today, opening up his 21 day window for a return. Free agent signing Wes Schweitzer has been filling in for him at right guard, and has been better than expected. Wes Martin got his soul stolen on Sunday by Rams DT Aaron Donald, and has been a player the team needs to upgrade all season. If Brandon Scherff returns this week, or within the 3 week window, the speculation is that Schweitzer could move over to LG to replace Martin.

One person that would probably love to see Scherff back in the lineup on Sunday against the New York Giants is presumptive starter Kyle Allen. He was knocked out of last week’s game following a Jalen Ramsey helmet-to-helmet hit and subsequent shoulder injury. He was cleared to return, but Head Coach Ron Rivera kept him on the sidelines out of an abundance of caution for his health. That left Alex Smith, who was returning to the field for the field for the first time with a titanium rod in his surgically-repaired leg, in at QB for the rest of the game. He got his first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sack courtesy of the Los Angeles’ defense.

Ron Rivera said that the plan was to go with Kyle Allen again as the starter this week if he was healthy. Allen started out this week’s first practice running with the 1’s and looking ready to go for Sunday. Brandon Scherff is also taking 1st team reps which is a good sign for Sunday.