So far, Josh Doctson's status with the Washington Redskins is still unclear but he will definitely not be able to play in the Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. But, if he doesn't show any improvement soon, he could get released by the team.
Doctson, a first-round pick during the 2016 draft, has been absent ever since Week 2 due to his injured Achilles, which he suffered during offseason workouts.
Following the injury, fans of Washington originally expected to see him with the rest of the Redskins after a couple of weeks. However, as noted by the team's coaching staff, he might not be able to return until Week 10 to make sure that he's 100 percent physically ready.
"I think we'll send him to another doctor, get another opinion," coach Jay Gruden said. "I think the plan right now is to probably immobilize him for a little bit, just to take completely the stress off of it for a little bit of time and then see where that leads us."
As noted by the head coach, Doctson's injury is unique, which is why the team is having a hard time determining what his current condition is.
"I'm frustrated for him," he said. "I feel bad for him. He wants to play in the worst way. This is the most unique injury that people have seen. Can't put a finger on why he's having pain, but he's having pain. And he wants to play. And he's not the same guy when you can't push off because your Achilles is bothering you."
Based on Gruden's statements, it seems things are not looking well for the rookie wide receiver. Depending on the outcome of his medical tests, he could find himself on the injured reserve list for the rest of the year.
Of course, this will not be a favorable situation for the Redskins since they spent serious money to sign him after the draft. If Doctson doesn't show any improvement, the team could resort to exploring trade options for him next offseason. There's also a possibility that he might get released from the team next year if he doesn't fully recover from his condition.
