Updated 9/16 with additional information and commentary on the week 2 matchup
In what seem like familiar words, Taylor Heinicke was named the Washington Football Team’s starting quarterback today after week 1 starter Ryan Fitzpatrick was placed on injured reserve after suffering an injury this past Sunday (hip sublexation).
Heinicke started last season’s playoff game against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that game Heinicke impressed going 26/44 for 36 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
He came into the league as an undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion for the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, where he spent two seasons. He was then on the main roster for the Houston Texans in 2017 and the Carolina Panthers, with current Washington Head Coach Ron Rivera, in 2018. He spent the 2020 XFL season as a backup for St. Louis BattleHawks.
Prior to his playoff start, Heinicke started one game in his NFL career, as a member of the Carolina Panthers back in 2018. During that game he suffered a hyperextension of his left arm (non-throwing arm) in the second quarter, but played through it for most of the game before being replaced by currently injured Washington quarterback, Kyle Allen. Heinicke landed on injured reserve for the rest of the season following the game.
In the game he started, a 10-24 loss against the Falcons, he went 33 of 53 for 274 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions.
Heinicke relieved Dwayne Haskins in the fourth quarter of last season’s game against the Carolina Panthers and fared well, completing 12 of 19 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown in a 13-20 loss against the Panthers.
Washington will play the New York Giants on Thursday, September 16th at 8:20 on the NFL Network.
Both teams are 0-1 and along with the Dallas Cowboys (also 0-1) are a game behind the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles (1-0).
Washington is currently a 3.5 point favorite, but New York has won its last 5 games in Washington and starting quarterback Daniel Jones is undefeated against Washington as well.
New York struggled to get things going against the Denver Broncos last week, losing 28-13, while Washington lost a tough one to the Chargers after they were unable to slow Justin Herbert down, losing 20-16.
