ARLINGTON, Texas — The Washington Football Team will be without first-round rookie linebacker Jamin Davis for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys as the 23-year-old was surprisingly made inactive before kickoff.
A team official said Davis came to team doctors earlier Sunday and reported symptoms that could be in line with COVID-19. As there was not enough time to process a test for the virus prior to the deadline for inactives — 90 minutes before kickoff — the official said the decision was made to scratch Davis “out of an abundance of caution.”
Davis was not at practice Friday for what was listed as a “personal” reason, but coach Ron Rivera said he anticipated Davis playing.
ESPN reported earlier that day that Davis, the 19th overall pick, was driving behind safety Deshazor Everett when Everett veered off the side of the road and got into a car accident that killed a female passenger and seriously injured the safety. The network added that Davis, who was with fellow rookie Benjamin St-Juste, stayed at the scene of the accident to speak with police.
Sunday’s move, however, leaves Washington incredibly shorthanded at linebacker as starter Cole Holcomb is also out. Holcomb has been on the league’s COVID-19 list since Thursday. Three other Washington linebackers — Jon Bostic (pec), Khaleke Hudson (ankle) and Jared Norris (shoulder) — are on injured reserve.
Washington now has just four linebackers available to face Dallas: David Mayo, De’Jon Harris, Milo Eifler and Jordan Kunasyzk.
In a bit of good news for the Burgundy and Gold, though, running back Antonio Gibson is active ahead of Sunday’s showdown. The starter was previously listed as questionable with a toe injury after not practicing all week. Rivera said Gibson is dealing with turf toe, an injury that forced the 2020 third-rounder to miss two games last year. But the coach added that the case isn’t considered to be as severe as last year’s ailment for Gibson.
Beyond Davis, here’s who else is inactive for Washington:
- Wide receiver Curtis Samuel (hamstring)
- Cornerback William Jackson III (ankle)
- Cornerback Corn Elder
- Quarterback Garrett Gilbert
- Kicker Brian Johnson
- Wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden
Washington made Johnson inactive as kicker Joey Slye (hamstring) returns to the lineup following a three-game absence.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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