LANDOVER — As was the case throughout much of the regular season, the Washington Redskins were unable to get their running game going in a first-round playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
The Redskins rushed for just 84 yards — a figure that was 13 yards shy of their regular-season average. They had figured to be trending upward after rushing for more than 120 yards in two of their past three games, even with rookie running back Matt Jones inactive for the third consecutive outing because of a hip injury.
Alfred Morris ran for 50 yards on 11 carries, late-season signee Pierre Thomas had seven yards on four carries and Chris Thompson ran just once, gaining 25 yards on a second-quarter attempt.
Morris, whose four-year rookie contract is set to expire in March, ran for 751 yards during the regular season, the fewest of his career, and scored just one touchdown. It was the first time he did not surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season, and his 3.7 yards-per-carry average was, accordingly, also the lowest of his career — and nearly a full yard short of the 4.6 yards he averaged per carry as a rookie.
Jones, who could take over as the Redskins’ featured back next season, finished his rookie year with 144 carries for 490 yards and three touchdowns. He was also a target in the passing game, catching 19 passes for 304 yards — 78 of which occurred on a catch-and-run in a victory over the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 15.
Game likely Griffin’s finale
The game was likely the last on the Redskins’ sidelines for quarterback Robert Griffin III, whose $16.2 million contract option, picked up by the team in May, impeded his chances of playing this season.
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Griffin entered offseason workouts and training camp as the Redskins’ starter, but was demoted in favor of Kirk Cousins in late August. Cousins started and played every game for the Redskins this season, with Colt McCoy, who served as his backup, appearing in two games in relief.
Griffin was the No. 2 overall pick by the Redskins in 2012 and was the offensive rookie of the year, but a serious right knee injury sustained in a first-round playoff game that season was among several reasons his transition to becoming a pocket passer was delayed.
Washington is expected to cut Griffin once he passes an exit physical and is deemed healthy by the team’s medical staff.
He was inactive for all but one game — Oct. 18 at the New York Jets, when the Redskins had to scratch seven injured players.
Injured inside linebacker Perry Riley, recovering from surgery on his right foot, was inactive on Sunday, as were defensive end Frank Kearse, left guard Arie Kouandjio, cornerback Jeremy Harris and tight end Marcel Jensen.
Long hurt, but returns
Left guard Spencer Long left the game in the first quarter with a left ankle injury and missed three series, but was able to return.
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Long was replaced on those drives by Josh LeRibeus, who had been the starting center for the last 11 games of the regular season before Kory Lichtensteiger returned following a nerve issue that weakened his left arm.
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland left the game in the fourth quarter with leg cramps, but was able to return.
Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, who had a 10-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, left the game in the third quarter with a right knee injury, but told reporters in the locker room after the game that he had avoided any serious damage to any of the ligaments in the knee.
Packers can’t stop Reed
Tight end Jordan Reed finished with team highs of nine catches for 120 yards and a touchdown, which was a 24-yard reception that he took into the end zone in the second quarter. He was the first tight end to surpass 40 receiving yards against in the Packers’ last six games. … Cousins became the first Redskins quarterback to throw a touchdown pass and run for a touchdown in a postseason game. … By losing to the Packers, the Redskins still have not won a playoff game since defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round on Jan. 7, 2006. They have not won a playoff game at home since Jan. 8, 2000, when they defeated the Detroit Lions. … The Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 210 yards, joined Brett Favre as the only players to surpass 3,000 postseason passing yards with the team. … The teams had split their previous postseason meetings, with the Packers winning the NFL championship in 1936 and the Redskins winning in 1972.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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