Commanders Place Kicker Seibert on Injured Reserve After Costly Misses
In the aftermath of a frustrating defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Commanders have made a decisive move by placing their kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve. This decision comes on the heels of Seibert's two missed extra-point attempts, critical errors that contributed to the Commanders' 34-26 loss.
Prior to Sunday's setback, Seibert had been a model of consistency, successfully converting all 22 of his extra-point attempts this season. However, during the clash with the Cowboys, things unravelled for the kicker. His first miss followed a 17-yard touchdown run by Jayden Daniels in the third quarter. Shortly after, another miss occurred after an 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin, which left Washington trailing Dallas by a single point at 27-26.
"I just want to play better for my teammates, you know, definitely don't want to do that," Seibert reflected on his performance. He openly acknowledged the struggle, stating, "Just wasn't striking well, but it means a lot to me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot... moving forward."
One particular incident during the game involved a low snap during Seibert's final extra-point attempt. However, Seibert dismissed any external factors being to blame. "It didn't make a difference at all. It's on me," he admitted, taking full responsibility for the miss.
Leading up to the game, there were concerns about Seibert's right hip, but he assured everyone that he was fit to play. "I felt fine. That's why I made the decision to play, and here we are," he said, underscoring his confidence in his physical condition.
As the Commanders now consider their options to fill the gap left by Seibert, the game highlighted another impressive feat that went beyond their kicker's performance. The Cowboys showcased a unique historical achievement by becoming the first team in NFL history to record two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a single game. CeeDee Lamb was a notable contributor to the Cowboys' success, tipping his hat to Seibert with a remark that showed a hint of camaraderie beyond the competition: "Shoutout (Commanders kicker Austin Seibert). He went to OU with me. He gave us one."
For the Commanders, finding a replacement for Seibert comes at a crucial time as they look to regain momentum following the jarring setback. In high-stakes matches where each point can shift the tide, ensuring stability and reliability in their kicking game will be imperative moving forward. The team's decision to place Seibert on injured reserve not only reflects immediate needs but also indicates a future recuperative phase for the kicker who, despite this tough outing, still holds potential value once recovered and reinvigorated.
Seibert leaves a void, but his commitment to his teammates and resolve to improve remains undeterred. As he looks to "put [his] best foot... moving forward," both he and the Commanders must now navigate the uncertainties of the coming weeks with the same resilience and determination they bring to the field.