Redskins first-round pick Josh Doctson was already seen as a bit of a luxury selection for the wide receiver-rich Redskins, so perhaps Friday's announcement that he could miss the remainder of the season won't be the gut punch many assumed.
Head coach Jay Gruden noted that Doctson will be placed on IR due to the Achilles' tendon pain that has been plaguing the former TCU standout for months now. Doctson appeared in two games this season, catching two of six targets for 66 yards.
"We saw another specialist, a couple of them now, with all the work that we've put in, we thought it was best to immobilize him for a little bit of time and see if that can help," Gruden told reporters Friday. "By the time he gets out of the boot, then he'll need time to see if he's ready and hopefully we'll get him back for the last, maybe, two games of the year. ... He could be out for the year. He could not be. I don't know yet, we'll see how he is. Big thing is to just get him healthy. Based on all the research we've done, we thought this was best for him basically."
Gruden added: "It's disappointing, but I think it's best for him. That's the most important thing. I think for his state of mind, it's important to get this thing fixed and do it the right way. Based on all the information we've gathered, we tried to push him along maybe a little bit too hard because we didn't feel like we couldn't find anything wrong, but obviously he feels there's something wrong in there, something is bothering him. So let's get to the bottom of it, get him healthy and get him for the ready for the end of the year or next year."
In addition to Doctson, Gruden also announced tight end Jordan Reed (concussion) will not play Sunday and DeSean Jackson (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday.
Washington is doing the right thing with their ailing rookie. Sometimes hordes of tests cannot adequately detect the pain someone is feeling and that seems to be the case here. Skill position players especially prep hard for the NFL draft and put themselves through rigorous workouts without the chance to come down from a taxing college season. Doctson has mentioned this grind before which could explain why the constant stopping and starting of his recovery hasn't helped. Perhaps a few more weeks of complete rest and treatment will allow for a better outcome.
