EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Trent Williams left the Washington Redskins’ 24-13 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday after spraining his left shoulder late in the third quarter.
Williams sustained the injury with 4:21 remaining in the quarter when, while blocking Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, he collided with running back Alfred Morris.
He was replaced for the final drive of the third quarter and all of the fourth quarter by Tom Compton, who shifted over from right tackle and was, in turn, replaced by Tyler Polumbus.
“I just didn’t have full strength,” Williams said. “The doctors said there was no point in going out there when I wasn’t going to be able to do my job, so they decided to hold me out.”
Williams, who has played through multiple injuries this season, left the game after the play after the injury, when he was easily beaten by Pierre-Paul for a sack.
Also injured on Sunday were center Kory Lichtensteiger, who sprained a knee in the fourth quarter but continued to play; running back Alfred Morris, who battled tightness in a groin muscle all afternoon; inside linebacker Will Compton, who aggravated a neck injury in the third quarter; and outside linebacker Gabe Miller, who sprained his left ankle.
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Breeland draws five penalties in loss
Rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland entered Sunday’s game with one goal: To play aggressively, no matter who he was matched up against.
He succeeded in part, breaking up several passes in critical situations, but his aggression also got him into trouble. Lined up primarily against fellow rookie Odell Beckham Jr., Breeland was whistled for five penalties over the course of the game, four of which were accepted. The fifth penalty, defensive holding, was declined on a play in which he was also cited for taunting.
“I mean, I don’t worry about the calls,” Breeland said. “I wanted to go play physical, compete against my man, and that’s what I did.”
In addition to the holding and taunting calls, Breeland was whistled twice for pass interference and once for unsportsmanlike conduct. He and Beckham, who finished with 12 catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns, were chirping at one another throughout the game.
“I don’t care about penalties,” said free safety Ryan Clark. “I thought he played extremely hard. Also thought he had a big challenge — playing against OBJ is a tough challenge — and so you’re going to get those things because of the way he attacks the ball.”
SEE ALSO: Redskins ‘can’t catch a break’ as overturned TD turns tide in sixth consecutive loss
Allen declines comment on Gruden’s future
President and general manager Bruce Allen declined to comment on coach Jay Gruden’s job security, chuckling when asked if Gruden would be back as the Redskins’ coach next season.
“Oh, come on,” Allen said.
When pressed to offer a response, Allen said he would not speak about the matter after the game. Gruden, who is in the first year of a five-year contract, is now 3-11 as the Redskins’ coach.
Washington has had six coaches since 2001, three of whom lasted two or fewer seasons — and one, Marty Schottenheimer, who was fired after going 8-8 in 2001.
Thompson scores first professional touchdown
Running back Chris Thompson scored his first touchdown midway through the second quarter, catching a 9-yard pass from quarterback Robert Griffin III.
“It was a great feeling, man,” said Thompson, who spent the first 14 weeks on the practice squad. “I was a little confused, not sure if there was a penalty called or not. I just turned around and was like, ’Man, please don’t let this be a penalty.’”
Thompson said he was used a bit more than he expected Sunday, particularly within the two-minute offense. He finished with three rushes for 12 yards and caught three passes for 22 yards, a performance he hopes will serve a springboard for the remainder of the season.
“If I get an opportunity the last two games, [I will] just try to be better than I was today,” he said.
Hatcher, Robinson, Meriweather ruled out
The Redskins played without three defensive starters Sunday, as defensive end Jason Hatcher, inside linebacker Keenan Robinson and safety Brandon Meriweather were ruled out before the game because of injury. Running back Roy Helu (turf toe) was also ruled out during the week, while third quarterback Kirk Cousins, left guard Josh LeRibeus and wide receiver Leonard Hankerson were healthy scratches.
Extra points
With 236 passing yards on the day, Robert Griffin III (7,541) passed Jay Schroeder (7,445) for 10th-most passing yards in team history. … Griffin’s 61-yard pass to Andre Roberts in the third quarter was his longest completion since Nov. 17, 2013, when he threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to fullback Darrel Young in Philadelphia. … With 143 yards, Beckham became the first rookie in NFL history to record at least 90 receiving yards in six consecutive games.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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