Already dealing with the potential that Josh Norman could be out for a few more weeks, Jonathan Allen, Dustin Hopkins and Bashaud Breeland are now dealing with injuries of their own.
The Washington Redskins may be without three more key players for next Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, as head coach Jay Gruden announced on Monday that defensive linemen Jonathan Allen (Lisfranc sprain) could be out "three to four weeks" while kicker Dustin Hopkins (right hip rotator muscle strain) is "week-to-week."
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland (knee sprain) could be limited some this week, too, but Gruden believes there's a chance he could still play against the Eagles.
Allen, the team's first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, suffered the foot injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 26-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at FedExField in Landover, Md.
The 22-year-old has started all five games for the Redskins so far this season, recording 10 tackles with one sack. He posted a career-high four tackles in his NFL regular season debut against the Philadelphia Eagles before tallying his first professional sack against the Oakland Raiders in Week 3.
Against the 49ers on Sunday, Allen appeared on 29 defensive plays before being removed from the game.
The Redskins will call on second-year Alabama A&M product Anthony Lanier II to see an increase in playing time in place of Allen.
While Lanier has yet to suit up in any regular season games so far this season, he appeared in four games during his rookie season and recorded a fumble recovery against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Gruden even said during the offseason that Lanier has the chance to be an impact player if an opportunity presented itself for the 24-year-old to take the field.
"He was a guy that was one of the most difficult for our guys to block," Gruden said. "He was not a very natural rusher, either. He was doing it on pure power, length. And I think the more he works coming out of his stance, getting off on the snap count, hand usage, all the things Coach [Jim] Tomsula worked with him, I think he's got a chance to be really, really good."
Breeland, meanwhile, went down with his knee injury in the third quarter after 49ers tackle Joe Staley rolled up on his leg. With Quinton Dunbar already replacing an injured Josh Norman in the starting lineup, the Redskins called upon rookie third-round pick Fabian Moreau to step in for Breeland.
The UCLA product appeared on 34 defensive plays. Seventh-round pick Joshua Holsey also received action on defense on the 49ers' last drive of the game.
"I think they all stepped up," Gruden said Sunday of the young defensive backs. "You're talking about not a lot of experience back there. With Montae [Nicholson] playing safety, Fabian, and you saw Holsey back there and Kendall [Fuller]. Obviously, Dunbar had a big day today. Very impressed with all of them. There was a coverage mix-up there that gave them a touchdown to get it back to a one or two-point game, but overall, I liked the way they competed, covered and played."
Gruden said Monday that Breeland "has always been a fast healer," leaving open the possibility that he could still suit up in Philadelphia.
"He's like Gumby," Gruden said with a smile. "He took a pretty big shot on that play and I thought he was going to be out for a little bit of time, but he recovers quickly."
Hopkins, meanwhile, has been the Redskins' kicker since being signed following the 2015 regular season opener.
In his two-plus seasons with the Redskins, Hopkins has converted on 68-of-81 field goal attempts along with 87-of-92 extra points. He's also averaged nearly 63 yards per kickoff during that span.
So far this season, the Florida State product has been successful on 9-of-11 field goal tries and 12-of-13 extra points.
Gruden said the team will work out some kickers on Tuesday.
