Both Trent Williams and Morgan Moses showed strength through nagging injuries, as Williams was named to the Pro Bowl for a sixth time while Moses' starts streak is now at 48 games.
As the Redskins head into the offseason looking to get back to their winning ways, Redskins.com will provide position-by-position reflections from the 2017 squad.
Up next: the tackles.
REVIEW OF THE UNIT:
The Washington Redskins' two cornerstone tackles proved their value and toughness during the 2017 season, as both Trent Williams and Morgan Moses played at high levels through painful injuries.
Moses was one of only three offensive players for Washington to start all 16 games during the season despite playing with two ankle injuries for most of the year. In total, Moses played 958 snaps.
"You're always in pain in football," Moses said. "I don't think it was bigger pain than anybody else that's going through it. For me, I just pride myself on being out there and being able to play through things and being consistent. Whether I felt good or not, I knew as long as I was out there it gave us a little bit of a boost, it gave us a little more confidence than having all five of us out versus four guys. So, you just come in and you work, you rehab, you do what you're supposed to do and just let it all fall out on Sunday."
On the opposite side of the line, Williams played through a knee injury that would have sidelined most players immediately. But the 2010 first-round pick remained on the field for most of the season, appearing in 10 games total.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 29-year-old did not allow a sack on 363 pass blocking snaps this season. And even though he missed six games, three of which came after the Redskins were eliminated from playoff contention, Williams was still named to his sixth straight Pro Bowl.
With his Pro Bowl nod, Williams tied Len Hauss (1967-72) for the second longest consecutive selections streak in franchise history. He has also tied Hauss and Chris Samuels (2001-02, 2005-08) for the fourth most Pro Bowl appearances by a Redskins player.
In the swing tackle role once again was Ty Nsekhe, who appeared in 11 games with a career-high five starts. While he mostly filled in for Williams when he was injured, Nsekhe also briefly replaced Moses at right tackle in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys. He also played left guard for the first time in his career.
T.J. Clemmings and Tyler Catalina also appeared in regular season action at the tackle spots. Clemmings was claimed off waivers before the regular season opener as the former Minnesota Viking played six games with two starts before being placed on Injured Reserve in November.
Catalina, meanwhile, was the only undrafted rookie to make Washington's initial 53-man roster. The University of Georgia product appeared at both tackle and guard in his six games total.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE GROUP:
This is all about getting healthy.
Williams underwent major surgery for the first time in his life last month. While he was understandably nervous about the procedure, he is confident he'll be ready for the regular season opener later this year.
"I don't really know how it goes, but I'm just going to try and follow the doctor's orders and try to continue to put in extra work and do whatever I can to get back as soon as possible," Williams said.
Moses also reportedly underwent surgery after playing through ankle injuries since the Los Angeles Rams game back in Week 2.
"I've had surgeries in the past and it's about just being consistent, just coming in and rehabbing and taking care of your body," Moses said. "The older you get – it's crazy to say that – but, the older you get in the NFL and you become a veteran, you know how to take care of your body. For me, it's just going and doing the little things."
The Redskins will also have to determine if Nsekhe will be back for a fourth season in Washington, as the Texas State product will soon become a restricted free agent. If he is back, the Redskins would like to get him more offseason work at guard.
"I think with Ty, he is much better suited when he is playing one spot, tackle, and you start moving him around and all that, it's not that easy to go inside at guard," said Redskins head coach Jay Gruden. "It's a different set. It's a different technique. It's different calls for you and all that stuff. I think Ty is a big man and a very good tackle, but in the offseason when we have more time, maybe we can feature him at some guard when we've got all our guys back."
SEASON IN REVIEW
