The Redskins enter a stretch of three games in 12 days dealing with injuries
By Master Tesfatsion
November 21 at 5:05 PM


It was on Trent Williams’s mind nearly three weeks ago. While discussing the subject of Thursday night games, he noted a stretch in which the Redskins would play three games in 12 days.

“That’s absurd,” the left tackle said Nov. 2. “That’s probably one of the hardest things anybody on this team is going to ever have to do.”

Now, it’s here. Coming off Sunday’s meltdown in New Orleans, Washington has just three days to recover before hosting the New York Giants on Thanksgiving. Then, it hits the road for another Thursday night NFC East matchup against the Dallas Cowboys next week.

The stretch occurs at the same time the Redskins placed four players on injured reserve — running back Chris Thompson (fibula), wide receiver Terrelle Pryor Sr. (ankle), center Spencer Long (knees) and left guard Shawn Luavao (stinger) — and have another 18 players on the injury report.

“It’s not easy,” Redskins Coach Jay Gruden said. “It’s the way the NFL decided to do business. Thanksgiving games are great, but when you’re in a bind like we are with the injury situation and having two days to get new players ready for a guy like Coach [Steve] Spagnuolo and Coach [Ben] McAdoo, [it’s] not easy, but we will do it.”

Washington will not practice this week. Instead, it held the first of two closed walk-throughs Tuesday for its on-field preparations. To make matters even more difficult, the Redskins will likely use their third different center of the season against the Giants. Rookie Chase Roullier, who has made the last four starts replacing Long, is expected to be out for at least a week after undergoing surgery on his right hand Monday. Roullier, who had his right arm in a sling Tuesday, suffered the injury to his snapping hand against the Saints.

If Roullier can’t play, he would be the eighth Redskins offensive lineman to miss a game this season. Tony Bergstrom, who signed with Washington last month, is in line to start at center. The Redskins also signed Demetrius Rhaney on Tuesday as another option at the position.

“It’s one thing to have a lot of guys go on IR, which we have,” Gruden said. “But it’s another thing having guys with one or two-week injuries who are inactive and then you have got to get guys ready. You have got to try to get your practice squad to match what you need at practice to even have a practice. That’s been the hardest part.”

Washington will need to do all of this while coming off an exhausting overtime loss to the Saints. It blew a 15-point lead with less than six minutes left in the game, eventually falling, 34-31, in overtime at the Superdome against one of the best teams in the NFL.

“It’s hard, but these guys have shown the ability to bounce back and continue to prepare and work hard,” Gruden said. “I don’t think it is going to matter — it doesn’t matter — what our record is or who we are playing. These guys are going to prepare the same way and get after it and give it all they’ve got. It’s the only thing they can do.”

For players who will suit up in such a short time frame, recovery will be critical. Safety D.J. Swearinger has a weekly treatment routine that can include a trip to the chiropractor, acupuncture, cupping, cryotherapy, an infrared sauna with oxygen pumping into his nostrils and an hour in a saltwater float tent.

“It’s basically like you’re floating in the sea,” Swearinger said. “Saltwater basically heals your body, gets the inflammation out and helps you recover better.”

Swearinger will have to cram this process into three days as a result for this Thursday night game.

“They need to throw the Thursday night games out,” Swearinger said.

“They’re definitely too hard on our bodies, speaking for us, speaking for any other NFL team. It’s harder when you just get off the field on Sunday and you’ve got to prepare in two or three days for another physical game. Our bodies are definitely hurting right now. So we’ve just got to do to the best we can trying to get healthy and be ready to play Thursday.

“It’s a brutal game. Guys really got to tune in on taking care of their bodies the best they can. Whatever treatment they’re getting, try to get it at an all-time high and try to get extra. It’s definitely a brutal stretch, three games in 12 days. We just got to be pros and handle it the way we handle it.”

Swearinger, who also shared his appreciation to be playing on Thanksgiving after spending this holiday out of the league two years ago, said he’s got family in town. On top of taking care of his body, Swearinger has to find ways to make time for them while preparing his mind for the Giants.

“It’s definitely backed up,” Swearinger said. “You don’t have too much time at the house. When I get home, I want to relax. But when I get home [this week], you want to spend time with the family and at the same time still watch film to try to get as much knowledge as I can before Thursday.”