RG3 Dislocates Ankle
On Sunday RG3 dislocated his ankle in a non contact injury in the first quarter versus the Jacksonville Jaguars as he was rolling to his right, completing a pass to DeSean Jackson. RG3 badly twisted his left ankle before landing awkwardly on his right leg.Trainers huddled around RG3 before putting an air cast on his left ankle and carting him off the field.
Several experts have weighed in on the extent of RG3's injury with most of them saying that with a dislocated ankle a fracture is also possible, making the injury even worse. A fracture along with a dislocated ankle will effectively end the season for RG3.
Dr. Ray Solano, a D.C. chiropractic physician, says that it is highly optimistic to think RG3 will be out a few weeks, but he could end up being out a year or longer.
This is a major setback for RG3's development and the team's plans for the season. After struggling last season, the team and RG3 was hoping he would return to the form he showed as a rookie when he completed 66% of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
The truth is that he probably came back too fast from his devastating right knee injury, not giving it time to heal completely. Coming back too fast has made him overcompensate for the weakness of the knee and makes the rest of his body work harder, which will result in other body parts getting injured, such as his left ankle dislocating.
RG3 was clearly not the same quarterback in 2013 that he was as a rookie in 2012. Following his ACL injury he completed 60% of his passes with 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In my opinion he was not ready to come back.
RG3 started off the 2014 season very well versus the Houston Texans in a loss by completing 78% of his passes, but he did not throw any touchdown passes, but also did not throw any interceptions.
Is Kirk Cousins the Answer?
Kirk Cousins entered the game Sunday taking RG3's place versus the Jacksonville Jaguars and proceeded to throw a 20 yard touchdown pass to fullback Darrel Young. Cousins went on to complete his first 12 passes, a career best for him. Cousins passed for 250 yards,
2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
Cousins is in his 3rd year with the Redskins, drafted in the 4th round in 2012 out of Michigan State. He has the prototype size at 6'3 202 pounds and prototype speed with a 4.84 40 yard dash.
In two seasons with the Washington Redskins, Cousins has completed 56% of his passes, thrown 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Not very good numbers to say the least. He must play better if he is to help the Redskins be successful. However, he did play very well Sunday versus the Jaguars.
The Redskins have a very talented offense. They have a pretty good offensive line, a very good running back with Alfred Morris, two of the best receivers in the NFL in Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, also a very good 3rd receiver in Andre Roberts. The surprising fact is that Niles Paul, their 4th year tight end is the leading receiver on the team.
Another good piece of information for Cousins and the Redskins is that their 2014 schedule was ranked as the 17th toughest schedule in the NFL.
For Cousins to be successful he must take what the defense gives him, not forcing anything. He can lean on his running game, protect the football and the Redskins should be a tough team to beat.
Cousins must stay away from the interceptions!!