Defense has Commanders at 6-5 and back on playoff track
Defense is the biggest reason the Washington Commanders beat the Houston Texans to improve to 6-5NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
J.D. MCKISSIC
Commanders Move JD McKissic with Season-Ending Injury Follow along with Commander Country as we keep you up to date with all firings, hirings, and breaking news in the NFL
NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
Commanders' McKissic placed on IR with neck injury McKissic has been out since suffering the injury after Washington's Week 8 game against the Colts.
NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Done for year McKissic (neck) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact Rapoport stated McKissic would not play the rest of the season, as the veteran's neck injury will require a multi-month rehab process. McKissic will end his year with just 22 receptions and 173 receiving yards, both figures representing career lows when he's played at least six games. The one-two tandem of Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson has mitigated the loss in terms of the Commanders offense, but it leaves the backfield depth in a vulnerable state.
NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out again McKissic (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Houston, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Impact With McKissic missing a third straight game, Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson are the Commanders' healthy running backs. Jonathan Williams (knee) is listed as questionable, but even if he plays he hasn't been getting snaps in competitive situations. McKissic hasn't practiced or played since Week 8.
NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Not present for practice McKissic (neck) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday and is set to be listed as a non-participant for the second day in a row, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Impact McKissic hasn't taken any reps at practice since emerging from the Commanders' Week 8 win over the Colts with a neck issue. He looks to be facing long odds to be ready to play Sunday in Houston, so if McKissic is sidelined for a third consecutive game, the Commanders would likely turn to Antonio Gibson to handle more passing-down work behind lead runner Brian Robinson.
NOVEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Remains sidelined at practice McKissic (neck) was a non-participant at Wednesday's walk-through practice.
Impact Since a five-touch showing while playing 36 percent of the snaps on offense Week 8 at Indianapolis, McKissic hasn't mixed into any drills while missing two straight games. He may be trending toward a third absence in a row this weekend in Houston, and as long as McKissic is sidelined, Antonio Gibson and rookie Brian Robinson will continue to lead Washington's backfield.
NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out for Monday McKissic (neck) will not play Monday against the Eagles, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Impact This marks McKissic's second straight absence as the Commanders continue to be cautious with the pass-catching specialist. Antonio Gibson once again figures to be a prominent RB member of the passing attack after logging his largest snap share (58 percent) since Week 1 in the close loss to the Vikings last week.
NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Not at practice McKissic (neck) didn't practice Friday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Head coach Ron Rivera said last week that the Commanders would be cautious with McKissic while he recovers from a neck injury. He hasn't been placed on injured reserve or even officially ruled out for Monday's game against the Eagles, but McKissic appear likely to miss a second straight game. His absence from last week's loss to the Vikings freed up more playing time for Antonio Gibson, whose 58 percent snap share was his largest since Week 1, which came when rookie Brian Robinson was on the NFI list. Gibson managed only 47 yards on 13 touches but had enjoyed a nice stretch of performances in his limited role before that.
NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sits out another practice McKissic (neck) isn't participating in Friday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Since picking up the neck injury coming out of the Commanders' Week 8 win over the Colts, McKissic hasn't practiced in any fashion and has missed one game. The Commanders don't seem to have much confidence McKissic will be ready to go for their Monday night matchup with the Eagles, as offensive coordinator Scott Turner told Matthew Paras of The Washington Times on Friday that Antonio Gibson is preparing to handle McKissic's usual role as the pass-catching specialist in the Washington backfield. Before the Commanders formally rule McKissic out for the second game in a row, the team will see if the 29-year-old is able to do anything Saturday during the final practice session of the week.
NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
No practice reps Thursday McKissic (neck) didn't practice Thursday.
Impact After the Commanders ruled out McKissic for a Week 9 matchup with the Vikings, coach Ron Rivera said the running back was slated to visit a specialist, but new news hasn't emerged regarding the state of his neck injury. Rivera also noted the team would be cautious with McKissic, so his status bears watching in the coming days to get a sense of his availability, or lack thereof, in Week 10. If McKissic again is absent Monday in Philadelphia, Antonio Gibson and rookie Brian Robinson would split Washington's backfield reps.
NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ruled out, visiting specialist McKissic (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Minnesota, with coach Ron Rivera noting Friday that the running back will see a specialist and the team will approach h...
Impact Antonio Gibson already has taken some of the passing-down snaps that once went to McKissic, and the 2020 third-round pick now figures to get even more of that work, at least temporarily. It's possible that benefits Brian Robinson a bit if Gibson plays fewer snaps on early/running downs, while Jonathan Williams is on hand for depth if the Commanders want to use a third running back some. It sounds like McKissic is in danger of missing multiple games.
NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Still not practicing McKissic (neck) didn't practice Thursday, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
Impact Opening Week 9 prep with back-to-back absences doesn't put McKissic in a great spot as the Commanders gear up for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Friday's practice report may provide clarity for his availability this weekend, and if he's limited or out Antonio Gibson likely would be the primary beneficiary of McKissic's usual pass-catching role.
NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with neck injury McKissic was held out of Wednesday's practice with a neck injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Impact McKissic has been part of a three-man backfield committee since Brian Robinson debuted, mostly getting playing time in obvious passing situations. If McKissic is sidelined for Sunday's game against Minnesota, Antonio Gibson, who has caught three or more passes in five straight games, could be in store for a larger role when Robinson is off the field.
NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
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Targeted five times McKissic took two carries for six yards and caught three of five targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Colts.
Impact McKissic played 36 percent of snaps, his most since Week 5, with most of his workload coming in the fourth quarter with Washington playing from behind. The Commanders ended up winning a third straight game, but they could face more situations that call for McKissic over the next couple games against the Vikings (Week 9) and Eagles (Week 10). He's averaging only 19.3 snaps and 20.3 total yards per game since Brian Robinson made his season debut Week 5, which in turn gave Antonio Gibson more of the pass snaps that used to be McKissic's.
OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
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Plays only 12 snaps McKissic played 12 snaps on offense in Sunday's 23-21 win over Green Bay, taking one carry for four yards and finishing without a catch on two targets.
Impact Meanwhile, RBs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson combined for 30 carries and six targets, with WR Curtis Samuel adding five carries for 24 yards. This was the fourth straight week in which McKissic's snap share fell from the previous game, this time all the way down to 16 percent. He should see more work when the Commanders fall behind by multiple scores, but there's not much upside with Gibson now getting many of the snaps that previously went to McKissic (while Robinson handles many of the snaps that Gibson used to play). Next up is a Week 8 matchup at Indianapolis.
OCTOBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
'Money' receiver Terry McLaurin is key piece for Commanders
Terry McLaurin caught his first touchdown pass since the season opener in the Washington Commanders’ 23-21 victory against Green BayOCTOBER 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Can't-Miss Play: De'Vondre Campbell rips football from J.D. McKissic for BIG pick-six TD Green Bay Packers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell intercepts a pass thrown by Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke and returns it...
OCTOBER 23, 2022 • NFL.COM
J.D. McKissic's mastery of his role brings value to Commanders backfield Running back J.D. McKissic continues to stand out as a receiver in Washington's running back corps, while doing the little things to help th...
OCTOBER 22, 2022 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Limited to two touches Thursday McKissic rushed twice for 20 yards and failed to bring in any of his three targets in the Commanders' 12-7 win over the Bears on Thursday night.
Impact McKissic saw an even more modest role than normal with Brian Robinson taking over lead-back duties and Antonio Gibson checking in as his clear backup for early downs. The veteran pass-catching back hadn't logged any fewer than Week 5's five touches until Thursday, but he may now be mired in a more modest role with the exception of games in which the Commanders are facing a large second-half deficit and his pass-catching prowess is therefore needed.
OCTOBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Catches five passes in loss McKissic caught five of seven targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 21-17 loss to the Titans.
Impact McKissic failed to record a single rushing attempt in the contest, but his seven targets were the second most on the team. Fellow running back Brian Robinson made his debut Sunday, leading the team in carries with nine rushes on the day. While Robinson was not used in the passing game, Antonio Gibson saw four targets go his way. As the pass-catching back, McKissic is not likely to see his usage impacted by Robinson in a significant way. However, it is important to keep an eye on how the Commanders use Gibson going forward. It's possible that Washington could try to use him more as a pass catcher, as he saw more targets (four) than rushing attempts (three). This could certainly impact McKissic's target share in the passing game. The 29-year-old veteran will look to maintain his familiar role when the Commanders visit the Bears in Week 6.
OCTOBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
RB J.D. McKissic On seeing RB Brian Robinson Jr. back on the field:
OCTOBER 10, 2022 • TENNESSEETITANS.COM
Competition in the fold? Teammate Brian Robinson (leg) was activated off the non-football injury list Saturday and is expected to operate in a backfield committee with McKissic on Sunday, Adam Schefter of...
Impact On the surface, Robinson's availability likely doesn't matter much to McKissic's usage, as the pass-catching back has thrived over recent weeks to the tune of 19 receptions. However, it's possible the rookie Robinson could completely take over the between-the-tackles carries, which would in turn bump Antonio Gibson out of the aforementioned role. The Commanders have teased using Gibson, the converted receiver, as more of a pass catcher in their offense over the years, most recently targeting Gibson eight times in Week 1 resulting in seven receptions for 72 yards. While McKissic's role has seemingly never been threatened during his tenure with Washington, it's also true that Gibson has previously always had a place as a ball carrier. Fantasy managers should stay tuned to how the backfield plays out with Robinson now on the active roster.
OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
