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Redskins backup QB Colt McCoy is also the emergency long snapper

Published Dec. 9, 2016 1:05 p.m. ET

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Brett Smiley

There's a potentially interesting subplot brewing for the Redskins-Packers showdown on Sunday night and it involves Redskins backup quarterback Colt McCoy's ability to long snap.

Washington's veteran long snapper Nick Sundberg, who's been with the team since 2010, tweaked a back muscle in the the weight room and didn't practice on Thursday or Friday. He's listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

As a precaution, the Redskins have brought in some free agent snappers to work out today, ESPN's John Keim reports. Of course Redskins head coach Jay Gruden would prefer to have Sundberg on the field given his experience and familiarity with place holder Tress Way.

But if Sundberg ends up playing and his back acts up, it may be Colt McCoy to the rescue.

If McCoy is in there snapping on punts, presumably he's going to have to race down the field in punt coverage, which is not an ideal job for a backup quarterback, but covering with one less man is also sub-optimal unless they try to kick the ball out of bounds.

And what happens if McCoy gets lit up on a punt return? Washington's third-string QB, rookie Nate Sudfeld, has been inactive every game this season.

Obviously we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but special teams are critical and both teams desperately need this game to keep pace in the NFC playoffs race. Here's hoping that Sundberg is fine ... but if something happens, grab your popcorn.

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