The Seattle Seahawks are coming off of their bye week to face the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. The Redskins will host the meeting between the two teams after losing 45-14 at home to the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football back in Week 4.
Many would think that after 10 days of rest Washington would have a lighter injury report, but that's not the case. The team will be without cornerback Tracy Porter for the fourth game this season and Kirk Cousins will be starting in the place of the injured Robert Griffin III for the third straight week. The good news is that Washington will have a number of previously injured starters suiting up tonight after significant rest.
Defensive ends Chris Baker (shoulder), Jason Hatcher (hamstring) and Jarvis Jenkins (ribs), wide receiver DeSean Jackson (shoulder) and linebacker Brian Orakpo (finger) are all listed as probable and are expected to play tonight. But Jackson and Orakpo have largely disappointed this season, which can be attributed to their injuries (as well as the injuries of others). Aside from his big Week 3 performance against the Eagles, Jackson has just 10 receptions for 90 yards in the team's other three games, while Orakpo has only 12 tackles and 0.5 sacks this season. Washington will need both of them to step up if they want to give Seattle a scare.
The Redskins also have a lot of players on the bubble and are unsure if some starters will be able to play tonight. Tight end Jordan Reed (hamstring), guard Shawn Lauvao (knee), tight end Niles Paul (concussion) and left tackle Trent Williams (knee) are listed as questionable for tonight's contest. It's likely that Reed sits out his fourth consecutive game with Paul starting in his place. Lauvao and Williams were both limited in practice all week, so they're not guaranteed to play either. Among the others, linebacker Akeem Jordan (knee), defensive end Kedric Golston (groin) and safety Trenton Robinson (ankle) are also questionable.
As for Seattle, the defending Super Bowl champions will be traveling to Washington with a fairly healthy roster. The Seahawks will only be without tight end Zach Miller (ankle), tackle Alvin Bailey (oblique) and cornerback Tharold Simon (knee) for tonight's game. And that's all. Running back Marshawn Lynch (not injury related), linebacker Bruce Irvin (oblique) and safety DeShawn Shead (knee) are all listed as probable and will play tonight.
These two teams last faced each other in the playoffs following the 2012 NFL season. Seattle traveled to Washington and defeated the Redskins 24-14 in the wild card playoff game in both Russell Wilson's and Robert Griffin III's rookie seasons. But this time things will be different. Seattle is atop the NFL while the Redskins are last in the NFC East division as they prepare for another game without RG3.
Tune into ESPN at 8:00 p.m. tonight to catch the pregame analysis for Monday Night Football.
