LANDOVER | The reasons for opportunity varied.
Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams is suspended for four games. Into the game went Ty Nsekhe. Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson is hurt. Maurice Harris hit the field. Starting running back Matt Jones was a healthy scratch Sunday. Robert Kelley received a chance to start.
Each influenced the game. Nsekhe held up well at left tackle against the Minnesota Vikings, who brought the league’s top-ranked defense to the game. Kelley carried 22 times for 97 yards, cutting back, his dreadlocks bouncing around, taking the Vikings’ large hits. Harris made three catches for 28 yards. The Redskins have turned over spot after spot this season because of injury, poor performance or suspension. Sunday’s chances gave three players with non-traditional NFL routes a chance.
Nsekhe is a 31-year-old who played multiple seasons in the Arena League and AFL2, the Arena League’s developmental arm. His first of four weeks taking Williams’ place went well.
“It’s some big shoes to fill, all-pro,” Nsekhe said. “Just had to step in there and do my job when called upon.”
Kelley is an undrafted rookie free agent who has unseated Jones as the team’s lead back. The Redskins demoted Jones, who has fumbled seven times in 20 career games, and moved Kelley into the starting spot. For the second consecutive week, Kelley was solid out of the backfield.
“You try and minimize the negative runs,” Kelley said. “That’s something coach [Jay] Gruden talks about a lot to make sure that I get positive runs. If I get just one yard, stay positive. You can’t go broke with a positive.”
Harris was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster Oct. 21 when rookie wide receiver Josh Doctson was placed on the reserve/injured list. Like Kelley, he was an undrafted free agent. His first career catches came in Sunday’s 26-20 win against the Minnesota Vikings.
“It’s a pressure situation obviously,” Harris said. “But, I try not to put that pressure on myself — just kind of relax — and I feel that I do better when I’m relaxed instead of thinking that if I mess up, I’m not going to play.”
Gruden approved.
“We do miss those players, without a doubt,” Gruden said. “The guys that played, I’m very happy for, proud of the way they came and competed. It wasn’t too big for them and they made plays.”
Diggs had a day at home
Former Maryland wide receiver Stefon Diggs moved into the NFL record books Sunday. Like the Detroit Lions last week, the Redskins could not cover Diggs. He caught 13 passes against Detroit and 13 against Washington, making him the first player in NFL history to have 13 or more catches in consecutive games. He caught six passes on Minnesota’s final drive, largely working out of the slot in order to avoid Redskins all-pro cornerback Josh Norman. Diggs finished with 164 receiving yards.
“It was exciting,” Diggs said. “The main part about it was I was around my family. It hurt to come home and lose, but I’m a professional at the end of the game.”
Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford threw for 307 yards. More than half of his total went to Diggs.
Moses re-injures ankle
Redskins right tackle Morgan Moses was in a walking boot after the game because he reinjured his left ankle.
Moses was “rolled up on” by a teammate with 2:34 to play in the third quarter. He limped off the field, then returned on the same drive. Moses said he will have a better idea Monday how his ankle feels.
Gruden said the Redskins suffered no major injuries Sunday.
EXTRA POINTS: The Redskins gained 388 yards. They have exceeded 300 yards on offense in 13 consecutive regular season games. … Minnesota entered the game as the league’s top scoring defense, allowing an average of 15.8 points per game. The Redskins’ 26 were the most scored against Minnesota this season. … Linebacker Trent Murphy added to his career high with his seventh sack on Sunday. … Washington wide receiver Pierre Garcon passed Henry Ellard for the 11th-most receiving yards in team history. … Jamison Crowder’s 100th career reception was 4-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.