The WFT has a major roster problem

The Washington Football just can't seem to catch a break at the moment.

WFT has more than a covid-19 problem

With injuries already wreaking havoc on the WFT, it seems almost cruel that they should also be heavily impacted by covid-19. This week alone has seen 14 players added to the reserve/covid-19 list with eight of them coming as of Wednesday. The total number of players impacted by covid-19 now stands at 18 as they approach their game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Both teams sit on a 6-7 record with Washington hanging on to the last playoff spot with four games remaining. Of course with the latest news, things have now become very complicated for Washington.

Of the aforementioned 18 players, nine were possible starters for Sunday's game. In addition to the covid-19 list Washington also has 13 players out through injury, which means the team will now have to mix and match as they try to construct a viable starting lineup for a game in which there is no margin for error. "We're in meetings and one of the guys told me someone else had it, it's like, 'Here's another one; there's another one,'" guard Brandon Scherff said. "Like coach Rivera said, 'Next man up.' It's a big opportunity for them to show everyone what they've got."

Defense was WFT's strength. Now what?

Prior to this situation it was most definitely Washington's defense which was their strength. With the current situation, however, they will be hard pressed to maintain that same fortitude. Of the top six linemen on the active roster, five are on the covid-19 list with only tackle Daron Payne remaining available. There is also lineman, end Montez Sweat, who is due to come off the covid-19 list on Saturday, but remains on the injured reserve list with a fractured jaw. Ideally Sweat would play on Sunday, but it would mean fielding a player who has not played since October without the benefit of a single practice session.

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There are a number of players who could in fact come off the list later this week. Defensive ends James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill, both of whom missed Sunday's loss to Dallas, along with defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Tim Settle also could come off the list. All four players will be required to test negative twice in a 48-hour period in order to return.

HC Ron Rivera knows things are getting out of control

Speaking on the situation head coach Ron Rivera seemed unconcerned for himself despite the high rate of positive cases. Indeed Rivera was quick to point out that he had already received his booster shot and continues to take all precautions possible when around other people, including wearing a mask. He did, however, concede that the situation was now at an unprecedented level.

"Nobody expected this [Omicron] variant," he said. "Because it's spreading so quickly around the league right now, that almost feels like a matter of time. I don't think anybody expected it to be like this. Our thought might be that guys that hadn't gotten vaccinated might have come down with it at some point or another, not that it would be a crossover." Rivera also added that he was unsure as to whether or not the players testing positive have the new variant, noting that he was simply speculating based on the velocity of spread.

Unfortunately it's only going to get worse for Washington before it gets better. At the moment there are only two healthy and available tight ends - Ricky Seals-Jones and rookie John Bates. Starting corner Kendall Fuller won't play on Sunday as he has been placed on the covid-19 list, while receiver Terry McLaurin and running back J.D. McKissic, are in the concussion protocol. To make matters worse, assuming McLaurin doesn't play, it is likely that his replacement, Cam Sims, won't be available either as he was placed on the covid-19 list on Wednesday. There is also receiver Curtis Samuel, who having missed the last three games due to a groin problem, did not train after complaining of a hamstring issue.

WFT will fight on

Quarterback Taylor Henicke was confident that the WFT could overcome the challenge when speaking on the situation. "We've dealt with adversity all year," Heinicke said. "We've had guys go down and step up and play; it's just more for this week. We have confidence in all our guys. It should be an interesting one Sunday, but I feel good about it." Rivera echoed his player's sentiment as he spoke on the approach taken with the players who have to come in as replacements. Rivera noted that his staff continues to focus on teaching during their walk-through sessions as they get new players into the swing of things. "You take every able body you have and they all get opportunities to practice, get opportunities in meetings and walk-throughs to make sure they're brought up to speed," Rivera said.

Perhaps the words that best summed up the team's mentality at the moment were those of rookie defensive end Shaka Toney, "I got vaccinated so I trust the vaccine," he said. "I've seen guys come back fast from being vaccinated and their symptoms are perfectly normal. I won't say I'm not worried, but I trust my body; I have a good diet, I got vaccinated; I did the booster shot. You can't live life with fear. I will follow all the precautions and do my best to stay available."