With multiple defensive backs suffering injures in the win over the Giants, rookie Kendall Fuller will get the chance to play in his first regular season game against the Browns.
Injures are unfortunately a part of the game of football. For teams, handling the repercussions is bittersweet.
The Redskins are currently dealing with the tough part, having a bruised group of defensive backs including cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland and Dashaun Phillips, who are each nursing injuries after Washington's win over the Giants.
But as with many injuries in the NFL, there is a positive note to be found. Someone else will be given an opportunity that they wouldn't have had without these players missing time. In this case, rookie cornerback Kendall Fuller will now be given the chance to show what he can do.
Fuller was on the inactive list for the opening three games of the season and also dealt with continued rehab during the offseason, but the Virginia Tech product will be ready to go on Sunday against the Browns.
"There won't be any restrictions, no," head coach Jay Gruden said about Fuller's injury. "I think he's played through it and I think he's in a place now where he feels comfortable going out there and running and playing. I think he's ready to go. I think he's been ready, I think now it's time to let him play."
The third-round draft pick ohad microfracture surgery on his right knee in fall 2015, but was still selected by the Redskins and is now free of injury concerns. Fuller competed with Phillips -- who is in his third year in the NFL -- for the starting job in training camp and put up quite a fight.
"I think he finished really strong in training camp and I think he had a good preseason, I really do," Gruden said. "He was right there, neck-and-neck with Phillips and we played Phillips there to start the season with the idea to get Fuller a little bit more time to get ready with his body and his mental state of mind. I think he's more than ready. He's a bright, bright football player. He's got great, natural ball skills and instincts and I think he'll be ready to go."
Fuller, a Baltimore native, did indeed make quite a splash in the preseason finishing with 11 total tackles, including seven solo. His most memorable moment came in the third preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, when he caught an interception on fourth down to end the game, sealing a victory for the Redskins in the process.
With all of the injuries that the Redskins are experiencing, all eyes will be on Fuller to see how exactly he performs in his first career regular season outing. But it appears that the coaching staff has the confidence that it will finally be his time to shine.
"With Fuller sitting here, he is obviously our No. 1 option A," Gruden said. "We're excited to see him play."
