National Football League

Predicting The Washington Redskins Inactives For Week 3

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:43 p.m. ET

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Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Washington Redskins helmet and logo before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Redskins already have one player declared out for Sunday’s game. Who else will join him on the inactives list?

The Washington Redskins are going to be playing the New York Giants in a divisional matchup on Sunday. The game is going to be crucial for the Redskins, as they are 0-2 and they can ill afford to start the season 0-3.

The team is going to have to sit the customary seven players ahead of the matchup as well. They are going to have to choose their inactives carefully, and here is our best guess at predicting who they will be.

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws the ball over Washington Redskins defensive end Kendall Reyes (97) in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Steelers won 38-16. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

7. DE Kendall Reyes

The Redskins have already declared Kendall Reyes out for the game on Sunday. Reyes has been battling an injury since the start of the regular season. He was not very effective in the season opener, and missed the second game because of his troublesome groin. He will once again be resting, but the Redskins should be able to get by.

The one negative for the Redskins is that they will be without nose tackle Kedric Golston during the game. Golston tore his hamstring and will be out for the remainder of the season. The team could use some extra defensive line depth, and while Reyes would not play the nose, he could backup the left end position. That would be beneficial as current starting end Ziggy Hood is moving to the nose tackle position.

Reyes will be back in the future. Perhaps he will come back at a point where the Redskins actually have a chance to do some damage in the NFC East. For now, it makes sense to rest him and give some younger players some playing time.

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Nate Sudfeld (2) drops to throw a pass during the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

6. QB Nate Sudfeld

I feel like a broken record with Nate Sudfeld. Teams cannot afford to dress three quarterbacks heading into a game. Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy will continue to be active for the Redskins. However, with Cousins struggling there is a chance that Sudfeld could see some action down the line.

If Cousins cannot get the Redskins enough wins to stay competitive, the team may decide to mail it in towards the end of the season. They could end up out of playoff contention, and they could tank to get a higher draft selection. If that happens, the team may end up starting Sudfeld for a game or two just to get a look at the rookie. That would be a worst case scenario for the team.

For now, the Redskins will continue to sit Sudfeld. There is a chance he will see some action this year, but it will likely not be until November at the earliest.

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis (98) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Washington Redskins defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. DT Matt Ioannidis

When Golston was declared out for the season, the Redskins made a corresponding move to add rookie Matt Ioannidis to their active roster. Ioannidis, a rookie fifth rounder out of Temple, had been on the team’s practice squad since being waived at the end of the postseason. Ioannidis had a mediocre preseason and it looked like he needed a lot of development before he would be able to make an impact.

That said, having him on the active roster will help him out. Preparing for a real game will help boost his confidence and allow him to work with seasoned veterans who will help improve his game. He should not see action until at least a few more weeks down the line, but the promotion to the active roster should be good for his future.

In the short term, Ioannidis will not do much. In the long term, he may turn into a quality backup for the team.

Sep 13, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) runs with the ball as Washington Redskins outside linebacker Martrell Spaight (50) attempts the tackle in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Dolphins won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

4. LB Martrell Spaight

I am not convinced that Martrell Spaight is completely healthy for the Redskins. He missed last week with a concussion and has been on the injury report all week with the same malady. He also missed most of last season with a concussion, so the team needs to tread cautiously with him. As a result, having him sit another week may be beneficial for his health.

The Redskins also have gotten pretty good play out of their linebackers to start the season. Mason Foster has been terrific while Will Compton and Su’a Cravens have also played very well. The team can afford to be without Spaight for an extra week, and having him down the stretch could prove to be more important.

Spaight is going to be a primary backup for the Redskins this season, but he should rest until he is fully healthy. There is no point in risking his long term health to have him for a game that could be meaningless in the long run.

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Bernard Reedy (15) tackles Washington Redskins wide receiver Rashad Ross (19) as running back Keith Marshall (39) runs by during the second half of a football game at Raymond James Stadium. The Redskins won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

3. WR Rashad Ross

The Redskins have consistently been sitting Rashad Ross to start the season. That probably will not change unless the team decides to give Josh Doctson some time off at any point in the season. That said, they seem to be set on playing Doctson for now so Ross will sit.

The Redskins already have enough players on special teams to compensate for the not having Ross. Ross’ main value is as a return man. They have Jamison Crowder to occupy that role, so dressing Ross is redundant. He is a great depth player, but he will not see much action barring injuries.

Aug 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Charone Peake (17) has the ball knocked away by Washington Redskins cornerback Kendall Fuller (38) in the third quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

2. CB Kendall Fuller

I still think that Kendall Fuller should have won the slot role for the Redskins defense, but Joe Barry decided to go with Dashaun Phillips. As a result, Fuller has been inactive for the first two games of the season. I cannot imagine him being activated for this game given the needs that the team has at other positions.

Fuller looked like he had the potential to be an elite corner in the offseason but he has not gotten a chance to prove himself yet. Down the road, he will likely be activated but for now, the team does not have a need for six cornerbacks. Perhaps if the team decides not to dress five safeties, Fuller will have a chance to play.

It is only a matter of time before Fuller plays. It just will not be against the Giants this week.

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins center Kory Lichtensteiger (78) prepares to snap the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

1. C Kory Lichtensteiger

This may come as a surprise to some, but I think that that this might happen. Kory Lichtensteiger has been having trouble to start the season, and he was listed on the injury report with back spasms this week. If he is not fully healthy then his play could drop off even further this week. The Redskins cannot afford to have this happen and they may elect to sit Lichtensteiger as a result.

To begin the year, Lichtensteiger has committed three false start penalties and he has been guilty of numerous other mistakes as well. He really needs to be replaced, and Spencer Long is more than capable of starting. The team could make the switch this week and that would be a good move for their future.

It will be interesting to see what Jay Gruden decides to do. The team needs to make some changes, and sitting Litchensteiger could prove to be a smart one.