WASHINGTON COMMANDERS NEWS

Returns from shoulder injury Heinicke returned from a shoulder injury during Saturday's wild-card game against the Buccaneers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Impact The 27-year-old suffered the injury early in the fourth quarter after taking a couple hits and was labeled questionable to return, but he was able to retake the field after a quick examination in the locker room. Heinicke performed admirably before suffering the injury, completing 16 of 29 passes for 209 yards and one interception while rushing six times for 46 yards and one touchdown.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Taylor Heinicke takes off on nimble 13-yard scramble Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke takes off on nimble 13-yard scramble.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • NFL.COM

Daron Payne punches ball from Ke'Shawn Vaughn for key Washington turnover Washington Football Team defensive tackle Daron Payne punches ball from Ke'Shawn Vaughn for key Washington turnover.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • NFL.COM

Can't-Miss Play: Taylor Heinicke puts it all on the line on unreal TD dive Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke's unreal touchdown dive draws rookie defensive end Chase Young off the sideline to come...

JANUARY 10, 2021 • NFL.COM

Taylor Heinicke finds Logan Thomas off play action for 29 yards Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke finds tight end Logan Thomas off play action for 29 yards.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • NFL.COM

3 Quick Hits From Washington's First Half Against The Bucs The Washington Football Team trails the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 18-7, at halftime. Here are three quick hits from the first two quarters.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • WASHINGTONFOOTBALL.COM

Washington Football Team defense diced up by Tom Brady in first half The Washington Football Team's vaunted defense has been the difference for the entire season. That's changed today. At the half of the Washi...

JANUARY 10, 2021 • RIGGOSRAG.COM

Taylor Heinicke's scrambling strike to Logan Thomas nets 24 yards Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke's scrambling strike to tight end Logan Thomas nets 24 yards.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • NFL.COM

Jeremy Reaves flies off the edge to block Bucs' PAT attempt Washington Football Team safety Jeremy Reaves flies off the edge to block Bucs' PAT attempt.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • NFL.COM

Bucs RB Ronald Jones (quad) questionable to return vs. Washington The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be without their starting running back for the rest of Saturday night’s wild-card playoff game against the Wa...

JANUARY 10, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Getting spot start Saturday Heinicke will start Saturday's wild-card game against the Buccaneers, Grant Paulsen of The Athletic reports.

Impact With Alex Smith unable to play on his balky right calf, Heinicke will make his second appearance of the campaign. In the first one, Heinicke subbed in for the since jettisoned Dwayne Haskins in Week 16 against the Panthers, completing 12 of 19 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown while turning three carries into 22 yards. Heinicke will have a tougher task on his hands versus a Tampa Bay defense that racked up the fourth-most sacks (48, tied with the Cardinals) this season.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gearing up for wild-card round Pierre-Louis (ankle) is active for Saturday's wild-card game against the Buccaneers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Pierre-Louis will return to action after missing three consecutive games to close out the regular season. With Thomas Davis (knee) unavailable, Pierre-Louis is slated to start at weak-side linebacker.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Washington Football Team will regret not having Dwayne Haskins vs. Buccaneers The Washington Football Team could have used Dwayne Haskins on Saturday night. While it makes total sense for the Washington Football Team t...

JANUARY 10, 2021 • FANSIDED.COM

Playing Saturday Gibson (toe) is active for Saturday's wild-card game versus the Buccaneers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Impact For a third consecutive contest, Gibson is playing through a turf toe injury. In the first two outings, he combined for 33 touches for 150 yards from scrimmage. That said, he hasn't reached the end zone since torching the Cowboys for three touchdowns back in Week 12.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Saturday Miller (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's wild-card game against the Buccaneers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Miller has yet to play a game since signing with Washington on Dec. 16. Antonio Gibson figures to lead the team's backfield in its first playoff appearance since 2015. J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber should rotate in as well.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Taking field Saturday McLaurin (ankle) is listed as active Saturday versus the Buccaneers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Impact McLaurin managed two limited practices this week, which was two more than he logged prior to taking the field Week 17. In that contest, he put up seven catches (on eight targets) for 40 yards and one touchdown on the Eagles. The going may be tougher Saturday against a Tampa Bay defense that has given up 8.0 yards per target to wide receivers this season (tied for 14th best in the NFL).

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Saturday Smith (calf) is inactive for Saturday's wild-card game against the Buccaneers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post

Impact Smith entered the weekend as questionable to play, but his right hamstring continues to be bothersome and won't allow him to suit up, resulting in his third absence over the last four contests. In Smith's stead, Taylor Heinicke will direct Washington's offense.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Football Team FREE LIVE STREAM (1/9/21): How to watch NFL Playoffs, time, channel, odds Tom Brady goes for playoff win No. 31, and first with Tampa Bay, Saturday when the Bucs play at Washington in the NFC wild-card round

JANUARY 9, 2021 • PENNLIVE.COM

Washington vs. Buccaneers playoff game: Live updates and score The Washington Football Team (7-9) hosts Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) at FedEx Field in the first round of the NFC playoffs...

JANUARY 9, 2021 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Smith out, Heinicke starts for Washington vs. Tampa Bay LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Alex Smith is not in uniform for Washington’s wild-card game against Tampa Bay, with Taylor Heinicke starting at quarte...

JANUARY 9, 2021 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM

Smith out, Heinicke starts for Washington vs. Tampa Bay LANDOVER, Md. - Alex Smith is not in uniform for Washington’s wild-card game against Tampa Bay, with Taylor Heinicke starting at quarterback...

JANUARY 9, 2021 • THESTAR.COM

Who is Taylor Heinicke? Washington Football Team QB replaces Alex Smith in playoff game With Alex Smith hobbled by a sore calf, Taylor Heinicke makes his return to starting in the league.

JANUARY 9, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Smith out, Heinicke starts for Washington vs. Tampa Bay Alex Smith is not in uniform for Washington’s wild-card game against Tampa Bay, with Taylor Heinicke starting at quarterback on Saturday nig...

JANUARY 9, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM