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Washington Football Team Head Coach Ron Rivera opened his day after the game presser with the news that starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will be placed on injured reserve due to the right hip subluxation he suffered in the 2nd quarter yesterday. Fitzpatrick had an MRI this morning that confirmed their initial concerns. He will be seeing other doctors as they determine his treatment, and the length of time he will be out. He is required to miss a minimum of 3 games under the NFL’s modified IR rules, and the team will have a 21-day window to evaluate him and either activate him or shut him down for the season.
Rivera said the backup QB Taylor Heinicke will start on Thursday night against the New York Giants as expected. He’s a gunslinger, and a player that creates energy and excitement when he plays. The team will rally around him as the starter.
Kyle Allen will be his backup, and he is comfortable with them going forward. The team did add Kyle Shurmur to the practice squad this morning, but they do not plan on bringing in other QBs to the roster.
The offensive line had it’s moments against the Los Angeles Chargers defense, but rookie RT got a baptism by fire going against a premier pass rusher in Joey Bosa. Cosmi had his moments where he flashed, but both of Washington’s tackles could have played better.
Rivera said the Chargers didn’t show anything in the preseason by not playing their starters, and that helped hide their gameplan. The defense was inconsistent and players were missing their gaps. This is an accountability defense, and everyone has to play their position. Rookie CB Benjamin St-Juste was in good position on a lot of plays, but Justin Herbert and the LAs offense played a smart game.
Rookie Dyami Brown played the 2nd-most snaps at WR and Rivera said his speed showed up on film. He drew a pass interference call when he ran by a defender and got grabbed. Brown helped show that Washington’s offense isn’t afraid to throw it deep, and they have the speed to make defenses pay.
LIVE: Coach Rivera speaks with the media https://t.co/9A9KULHWlO
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 13, 2021
Ryan Fitzpatrick:
Ron Rivera confirms that Ryan Fitzpatrick will go on IR, because he suffered a subluxation. He’ll be out
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 13, 2021
Taylor Heinicke will start on Thursday. Won’t bring another QB at this time
Ron Rivera said what has been reported: Ryan Fitzpatrick to IR. He's getting second opinions to determine severity. Rivera said he doesn't yet know how long he'll be on IR.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 13, 2021
Taylor Heinicke:
Rivera thinks the players will rally around Heinicke. Some guys have the ability to create energy, and Heinicke is one of those players. He plays with his hair on fire, Rivera said, and he's a gunslinger. He's excited to see what Heinicke can do.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 13, 2021
Rivera on Heinicke's ability to amp guys up when stepping in: "Some guys have an innate ability to create some so enthusiasm, some excitement."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 13, 2021
Kyle Shurmur/Other QB options:
Ron Rivera said Washington does not plan to bring in any QBs other than Kyle Shurmur
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) September 13, 2021
Ron Rivera makes clear Washington isnt looking to brring in other QBs. So no Cam Newton.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 13, 2021
Comfortable with the QBs they have:
Rivera said it is frustrating, but moving forward and feels comfortable with the guys they have.
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) September 13, 2021
Protecting the QB:
I asked Rivera if he was worried about the quarterback situation given Heinicke's injury history and Kyle Allen coming off a broken ankle. His response: https://t.co/MD5ImQ8Jcx pic.twitter.com/Os6Sgxx2kP
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 13, 2021
Sam Cosmi vs Joey Bosa:
Rivera said the offensive line had its moments. It was a baptism by fire for Sam Cosmi, he said. Cosmi occasionally flashed, but Joey Bosa also played like a premier pass rusher.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 13, 2021
Rivera said facing Joey Bosa "was a good baptism under fire" for rookie Sam Cosmi. Had complementary things to say about both starting tackles while noting they can perform better.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 13, 2021
Defense:
Rivera credited the Chargers for not playing their starters in the preseason, said they hid their protections well. https://t.co/00YEHwdYsU
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 13, 2021
Rivera said he said missed assignments and players jumping gaps on the film. There's a certain responsibility that comes with playing Washington's style of defense, he said, and players being accountable for their gaps, as well as trusting their teammates, is critical.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 13, 2021
"This is an accountability defense," Rivera said, and if players are not playing to your assignment, it's hard for teammates to give them help.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 13, 2021
Dyami Brown:
Dyami Brown's speed showed up on film, which drew a PI call early in the game. Rivera said that teams know they're not afraid to throw it deep.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 13, 2021
Young players:
Rivera: "To be honest, I thought our young guys played a little young yesterday."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 13, 2021
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