ASHBURN — Right guard Brandon Scherff, left guard Shawn Lauvao and wide receiver Paul Richardson will miss the rest of the year with season-ending injuries, coach Jay Gruden told reporters Monday.
It’s a devastating setback for the Redskins, who still hold a one-game lead in the NFC East after Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
With eight games left in the regular season, Washington will be without three offensive starters — all of whom were key contributors on a unit that has struggled to find a rhythm in 2018.
“It’s something you don’t want to go through, but it is pro football and you have to go through it,” Gruden said. “Fortunately, we have a very good offensive line coach in coach (Bill) Callahan and we’ll figure it out and make it work. … We can’t slow down. The train doesn’t stop.”
The Redskins are now particularly thin along the offensive line after losing both of their starting guards. Against the Falcons, Lauvao tore his ACL, while Scherff suffered a torn pectoral.
Washington was already without Trent Williams as the left tackle recovers from surgery to his dislocated thumb. Gruden said Williams could miss 2-3 more games before his return.
The Redskins on Monday signed three offensive linemen — guards Jonathan Cooper and Luke Bowanko and tackle Austin Howard — after placing Scherff, Lauvao and Richardson on injured reserve. Washington had hosted six linemen for a tryout earlier in the day.
Still, Gruden said the loss of Scherff and Lauvao has a “major impact” on the offense. Washington relied on physicality upfront to bolster a running game that has averaged a 10th-best 121.9 yards per game.
“You learn from last year, no matter who’s next to you, you have to push on,” center Chase Roullier said. “You need to help guys learn positions quickly and just make sure you’re communicating out there. Any new guy that might come in, you might have to help him out with things. And so that’s why communication is key and very important to having success out there.”
Make no mistake: Richardson’s loss is just as costly.
The 26-year-old wideout will have shoulder surgery after dealing with an injury to his AC joint for the entire season. Richardson was Washington’s most productive wide receiver with 20 receptions for 262 yards — and his over-the-top speed gave the Redskins a much-needed vertical threat.
This marks the second year in a row in which Washington signed a receiver only for him to land on IR, with the team also shutting down Terrelle Pryor (foot) after nine games last season.
Richardson agreed to a five-year, $40 million deal in the offseason.
“He’s toughed it out for eight weeks and I think the pain has been bothering him so much that he needs to get it fixed,” Gruden said. “I commend him for his efforts for trying to play for the eight weeks he played. But I think it’s time to get it fixed.”
The Redskins now have 13 players on IR this season. Washington is also banged up at other positions and is awaiting the return of key playmakers like Chris Thompson (rib) and Jamison Crowder (ankle).
Crowder has missed four straight games, while Thompson has missed three overall. Gruden was unsure if Crowder would return to practice this week.
In the preseason, Washington lost second-rounder Derrius Guice, who was expected to be the team’s lead back, to a torn ACL.
Less than two weeks after that injury, the Redskins signed Adrian Peterson — and that move turned out to be a revelation. Through eight games, the 33-year-old has rushed for 604 yards and four touchdowns.
But former MVPs — at least those who, like Peterson, can still contribute or even dominate — aren’t usually found sitting on the street.
Now, the Redskins are faced with the challenge of incorporating new players in Week 10.
“It’s difficult,” Gruden said. “It’s going to be depending on that player. We’re hoping that player has some experience and can come in and do it — understands what pro football preparation is all about, is in decent enough shape that he can handle it, so that’s what we’re banking on right now.
“It’s something you don’t prepare for, but when it does happen, this is what you have to do.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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