It’s time to be honest about the loss of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Curtis Samuel

In the spring, the Washington national football team bailed out more than $ 35 million in salaries to two players in an attempt to breathe life into a deadly crime.

As Week 2 progresses, both players are injured.

Of course, the two players are quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and broad receiver Curtis Samuel.

Fitzpatrick was awarded $ 10 million to ensure stability at the forefront of the game after Washington has operated at a changing table alone for a number of bad and mediocre passers-by over the past three years. According to analytics, Fitzpatrick played the best football of his nearly two decades. Fitzpatrick called Washington the best situation of its time in the NFL, repeatedly, and there was genuine excitement among many that this crime could be carried out at a high level with a new signal caller.

This excitement lasted about two-quarters of the first game before Fitzpatrick was helped off the field due to a hip injury. There is no schedule for his return, but it will take at least three weeks and probably much more.

Samuel was signed for his versatility and explosiveness and to complement Terry McLaurin in a passport game. Here’s the problem, though: Samuel hasn’t run for months after treating a groin injury. Seriously, at least in the presence of the media, fast Samuel hasn’t run since May.

Let’s stop pretending this isn’t a big deal.

Stop shouting “next man up,” such as losing QB1, and the free agent award will not affect the product on the field.

Seriously, Washington signed these two players specifically to correct their crimes. This is a big deal.

Yes, Taylor Heinicke has a chance to change things around. He has a spark every time he’s on the field, and yes, the coaching staff likes him.

But the staff also went out and spent $ 10 million to bring Fitzpatrick. They wanted Fitz there. That was the plan.

And yes, newcomer Dyami Brown looked explosive in college and during training camp. Cam Sims also impressed the coaches during the camp. Adam Humphries should be able to help with the slot game, and perhaps Washington can rely more on strikers Antonio Gibson and JD McKissic.

The staff also guarantees Samuel nearly $ 25 million to use Burgundy and gold. They wanted Samuel there. That was the plan.

Heinicke can be great. He has a legion of fans in Washington, and this is his chance to prove them right.

Maybe Brown will explode in Samuel’s absence. This didn’t happen in Week 1, the newcomer records only one catch that actually went for negative yards, and outside of McLaurin, all Washington passport applicants received 73 yards. And without McLaurin, the wide areas formed only 25 yards.

It’s an incredibly small sample, it was only week 1. Brown and the others have another chance Thursday night against the Giants, but again, the early numbers are low.

Coach Ron Rivera has a duty to keep his team’s gaze ahead and not look at the IR. Rivera praises the next man’s philosophy, as he should, but he also has no options.

However, there has been a similar tone among fans and the media around the losses of Samuel and Fitzpatrick.

“Well, Samuel never even practiced, so it’s not such a big deal. You can’t miss what you never had!”

Wrong. Washington signed him for a reason.

“Heinicke is better than Fitzpatrick, he just needs a chance!”

Maybe, but if so, why did they sign Fitzpatrick?

Here’s the end result: Washington has lost just one race in 17 matches a season. Things can get in a hurry in a short week with a handout. The playoffs and playoff wins are still on the table.

But Washington has also lost a lot – already – to its injuries. The losses of Fitzpatrick and Samuel hurt. It’s time to be honest about it.