The Washington Redskins blew a 15-point lead in the final three minutes against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and that result might not be the worst news they got this afternoon.
In the third quarter, running back and breakout star Chris Thompson attempted a block during a Kirk Cousins scramble but had an opponent land awkwardly on his leg, which appeared to snap under the weight. Here’s a video of the resulting injury, which is somewhat gruesome.
This injury to Chris Thompson doesn’t look good. Right ankle gets trapped underneath a Saints player pic.twitter.com/WW8hQcp42n
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) November 19, 2017
Thompson lay on the turf for a few minutes receiving attention from trainers before being loaded onto a cart. He received encouragement from teammates, then was driven off the field, apparently in tears.
Football is family, and for @ChrisThompson_4 going off on the cart hurts, but his team mates will have his back no matter what.#Redskins pic.twitter.com/eAafpNUzOv
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) November 19, 2017
Before you worry about how Chris Thompson’s injury will impact your fantasy team, watch this. pic.twitter.com/j2y1xFWuo3
— Melissa Jacobs 💙 (@thefootballgirl) November 19, 2017
After the game, the Redskins announced Thompson had broken his right fibula. He will undergo surgery and miss the rest of then season.
Thompson’s injury is a massive blow to a Washington team that has lost four of its past five games to slip to 4-6. The Redskins are in a tough position to begin with, and now they’ll have to attempt a playoff push without arguably their best offensive player. Thompson, a 2013 fifth-round pick, leads the team in both rushing and receiving. His absence will deplete a backfield already suffering from an injury to Rob Kelley, forcing rookie Samaje Perine into a role he may or may not be ready for.
Beyond the impact on Washington’s outlook, Thompson’s broken leg is a huge bummer for a player enjoying the best year of his career. After finding out he would require surgery, Thompson tweeted that he was disappointed to be unable to play in the coming weeks but that he would “work my butt off to be out there for y’all next season even better than I was before.”
This hurts. Not being able to go out and perform for my God who blessed me with this ability, my brothers, coaches, and the fans. But if you know me you know I’m gonna work my butt off to be out there for y’all next season even better than I️ was before. Thanks for the support.
— Chris Thompson (@ChrisThompson_4) November 19, 2017
Hopefully Thompson recovers quickly and fully and picks up next year right where he left off.