ASHBURN, Virginia -- The weekly routine for Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams hasn’t changed. He couldn’t practice and he’ll be a game-time decision. That’s been his life for more than a month.
And it’s the same pattern he’ll follow this week in preparation for the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday. While Williams has played through numerous injuries throughout his career, this situation is unique. Not only does he have a bone bruise, but he also has ligament damage that will need surgery.
"Yeah, it's different,” Williams said. “It's a touchy situation. I haven't really had to deal with anything like this in my career. Usually I just fight through something for a couple weeks and eventually it'll heal. But this one is a little different. I'm taking it week by week and if I'm allowed to get out there, I'm always trying to get out there and contribute to the team.”
Williams knows he’ll need surgery once he stops playing; if it’s reconstructive surgery it’ll mean a six- to nine-month recovery period. However, Williams said there’s another procedure to repair his patella tendon that could result in a five- to six- month recovery. That’s the difference between him being ready for training camp and possibly not ready until the start of the 2018 season.
Regardless, though Williams has battled through injuries before, he hasn’t had to endure one like this. He missed two games, then returned for two but sat out vs. the New York Giants because it was a short week. If he plays Thursday, it will have been 11 days.
"It gives it a little more time to calm down after playing the game," Williams said.
Meanwhile, three other players did not practice -- tight end Jordan Reed (hamstring), safety Montae Nicholson (concussion) and center Chase Roullier (hand). Six players were limited: linebacker Zach Brown (shoulder/Achilles), defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis (hand), tackle Morgan Moses (knee/ankle), guard Brandon Scherff (knee), linebacker Martrell Spaight (ankle) and tackle Ty Nsekhe (core muscle).
If Williams can play, then Nsekhe likely would start at guard ahead of Arie Kouandjio. But If Williams has to sit again, then Nsekhe would play tackle and Kouandjio would start at guard.
Williams is glad he’s not the one shifting inside, as he was forced to do in one game last season so the 6-foot-8 Nsekhe could stay outside.
"I can't remember a time in my career where I looked down and the left guard is towering over me,” Williams said. “The center [Tony Bergstrom] is an inch taller than me. I'm basically the shortest guy on the line. Me and Brandon, I probably got maybe a quarter-inch on Brandon -- maybe -- and Mo being 6-7. I feel like I should be a center.”
