Austin Seibert returned from a two-game absence in Week 12, but the veteran kicker played a key role in the Commanders’ upset loss to the Cowboys. Two days later, he is heading to IR.
Washington placed Seibert on IR on Tuesday, shutting him down for at least four games. With the Commanders’ bye coming in Week 14, Seibert cannot return until the regular-season finale. A right hip injury had sidelined Seibert in Weeks 11 and 12, but he returned to face Dallas — a game that featured an exciting conclusion but one that involved a Seibert gaffe.
A bad snap preceded Seibert missing what would have been a game-tying extra point, coming just after a miraculous Jayden Daniels-to-Terry McLaurin score revived the Commanders’ effort. The Commanders have another kicker option rostered, with Zane Gonzalez still on their practice squad. Washington moved running back Chris Rodriguez to its active roster, quickly filling Seibert’s spot.
The Commanders added Gonzalez, who had not kicked in a game since 2021, earlier this month. Gonzalez became the third kicker for the team this season, but the 7-5 squad has gone through several since the league year began. Moving on from Joey Slye in March, the Commanders signed Brandon McManus. Allegations of sexual assault led to McManus being dropped in June, and Ramiz Ahmed being signed. Ahmed entered training camp as Washington’s only kicker, but the team claimed Riley Patterson off waivers. Patterson struggling in the preseason led to him being cut and a Cade York acquisition via trade (from the Browns) transpiring. Finally, the Seibert addition came after York fared poorly in the opener.
A sixth-year vet, Seibert is 27-for-30 on field goals. He missed one from beyond 50 yards Sunday, before the PAT miss. For the season, Seibert is 22-for-24 on PATs. Gonzalez made 3 of 3 field goals and all four extra points he tried in relief of Seibert. If the Commanders are to make the playoffs, they will have a decision to make at kicker due to Seibert’s mandated absence.
That “exciting conclusion” was the 4th quarter of a game that was a drab, ugly slog for the first 3. Seibert also missed a FG attempt along with the shanked PAT.