Washington Commanders Face Setback as Kicker Austin Seibert Enters Injured Reserve
The Washington Commanders are grappling with a challenging setback after placing kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve. This unfortunate turn of events follows a weekend clash against the Dallas Cowboys, where Seibert's performance became a focal point due to his two missed extra points, critical errors in the tightly contested 34-26 defeat.
Until that fateful Sunday, Seibert had shown remarkable consistency, successfully converting all 22 of his extra-point attempts for the season. However, the matchup against the Cowboys told a different story. Seibert's first missed extra point occurred following a 17-yard touchdown run by Jayden Daniels in the third quarter. His second troubled attempt surfaced after an electrifying 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to wide receiver Terry McLaurin, evening the score at a precarious 27-26, with Washington trailing by a single point.
Seibert acknowledged his struggles, stating, "I just want to play better for my teammates, you know, definitely don't want to do that. Just wasn't striking well, but it means a lot to me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot... moving forward." His determination to bounce back was evident, yet the outcome left the Commanders searching for answers and suddenly without a reliable kicker.
This narrow loss was not the sole highlight of the game, as the Cowboys shattered expectations, triumphing despite facing 10.5-point odds against them. Their victory was historic, marking the first occasion in NFL history for a team to record two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a single game. CeeDee Lamb's contribution added to the Cowboys' success, proving pivotal in sealing the win. Following the game, Lamb lightheartedly remarked, "Shoutout (Commanders kicker Austin Seibert). He went to OU with me. He gave us one," acknowledging his former college teammate’s unfortunate day.
Adding to the complexity of the situation was Seibert's health. Despite concerns surrounding his right hip, Seibert chose to play, later expressing, "I felt fine. That's why I made the decision to play, and here we are." Yet, his decision and subsequent performance have forced the Commanders to regroup without his services.
While Seibert downplayed a low snap during his final attempt, emphasizing, "It didn't make a difference at all. It's on me," the incident has undeniably pressured the team to reevaluate their strategy and roster, with the focus now shifting toward rediscovering lost momentum.
As the Commanders navigate this unexpected challenge, the priority remains finding a swift and effective solution to fill the void left by Seibert. With the season in full swing, the urgency to stabilize this critical special teams position is palpable. As the franchise works diligently behind the scenes, fans and analysts alike will keenly observe how they address this pivotal juncture in their campaign.
Seibert’s absence undoubtedly poses challenges, yet it also presents an opportunity for others to step up, potentially steering the Commanders back on track. Despite the difficulties, the team is committed to regaining its competitive edge, with a determination echoing Seibert's own resolve to "put my best foot... moving forward."