After a scary late injury in Sunday's game, tackle Trent Williams did not suffer any structural damage to his left knee while Josh Norman remains in concussion protocol. An MRI on Monday revealed that Washington Redskins tackle Trent Williams did not suffer any structural damage to his injured left knee.
Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams on Wednesday was named to the NFL's 'Top 100 Players of 2016' list, checking in at No. 45.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said that Williams will be monitored throughout the week as the team prepares for a showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals, but remains a "little sore."
Williams was injured on the second to last play of Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
On a play in which quarterback Kirk Cousins attempted to find DeSean Jackson deep but his pass was incomplete, Williams fell to the turf writhing in pain. Williams remained down for a few minutes before walking off the field with trainers flanking him.
The three-time Pro Bowler was eventually able to walk under his own power in the locker room as teammates left the stadium, but was showing a very visible limp.
Since joining the Redskins as the fourth-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Williams has started 91 of his 92 regular season appearances.
Not only is Williams one of the Redskins' best producing players each week, the 2015 second-team All-Pro has been one of the team's captains each of the last six seasons.
Depending on how much time Williams will miss, the Redskins will rely on Ty Nsekhe to fill the void in his potential absence.
The 30-year-old has appeared in 20 games for the Redskins over the course of the last two seasons including two starts.
Nsekhe has filled in for Morgan Moses at right tackle on different occasions this season when the University of Virginia product has been injured and even played some left tackle against the New York Giants in Week 3 when Williams was asked to play guard for the first time in his career.
The Texas State product has appeared on 81 offensive plays.
While it will be difficult to match what Williams brings to the offense, Gruden has been "very impressed" with Nsekhe for quite some time now.
"Ty is such a large man with great feet and so much strength that he's a very good tackle for us and we would not hesitate one bit if he had to play in a game for any amount of time," Gruden said earlier this year. "He's played very well."
Gruden also said on Monday that cornerback Josh Norman – who was removed from Sunday's game with a diagnosed concussion – remains in protocol.
Norman has been a huge presence for the Redskins this season after signing with Washington after an All-Pro season with the Carolina Panthers.
Diving to defend a deep pass from Matthew Stafford to Marvin Jones, Norman's head violently hit the Ford Field turf.
He would also be removed from the game, immediately heading to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.
Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed on Wednesday was named to the NFL's 'Top 100 Players of 2016' list, checking in at No. 77.
So far this season, Norman has collected 27 tackles along with an interception and a fumble forced. The Coastal Carolina product has started 32 straight games dating back to Week 8 of the 2014 season.
If he is unable to play against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend at Wembley Stadium in London, the Redskins will have to heavily rely on Bashaud Breeland and others to fill his spot, especially with A.J. Green on the other side.
The six-year veteran has collected 50 receptions for 775 yards and three touchdowns this season and is coming off an eight-catch, 169-yard game against the Cleveland Browns.
But with the logistics of a trip overseas, the team will have to "wait and see" about his status.
"He'll have to see the doctor again tomorrow and take the necessary steps and hopefully Thursday will be the last time he sees him," Gruden said. "We'll hope to get an answer before, obviously we leave Thursday night. Usually Thursday's are the time we see him anyway, so hopefully by then we'll have a good answer. We'll have to have one by then without a doubt."
Gruden also noted on Monday that Jordan Reed (concussion) will return to practice this week. The tight end has missed the Redskins' last two games.
"He's just cleared to practice he still has to do all the tests and still has to get cleared by the independent doctor," Gruden said.
