Washington vs Carolina Injury Report: Alex Smith 50/50 to play, Terry McLaurin doubtful – Hogs Haven

It’s Christmas so Ron Rivera didn’t hold his usual Friday presser, but the Washington Football Team’s PR department gave us the gift of a final injury report!

The only player ruled out for Sunday’s game is LB Thomas Davis Sr. This is good news for anyone who wants Washington to win this week. Cole Holcomb is returning, and the coaches were excited to get him back after missing last week with a concussion. Kevin Pierre-Louis also missed the last game and is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Veteran LB Mychal Kendricks was signed from the Seahawks practice squad this week, and the coaches made it sound like he could get on the field Sunday.

Terry McLaurin is listed as doubtful and hasn’t practiced all week. He has been dealing with an ankle injury for over a month, and this could be the week that finally keeps him on the sideline. Rookie WR Antonio Gandy-Golden has been practicing and Ron Rivera said they could activate him from IR this week.

Antonio Gibson is still dealing with the turf toe injury that has kept him inactive since he went out in the 1st quarter of the Steelers game 3 weeks ago. He has been limited all week, and might need another week to be game-ready. The team signed Lamar Miller from the Bears practice squad last week and he could see some playing time this week.

And finally an Alex Smith update. He is officially listed as questionable this week, but Ian Rapoport says it’s 50/50 for him to play this week. Smith was a full participant in today’s practice, a first for him since leaving the 49ers game in the 2nd quarter with a calf strain. There has been optimism in the organization that he could play this week. Ron Rivera said it would be up to Smith to know how he is feeling, and they might not make their decision until Sunday morning.

Washington controls their own destiny for the playoffs and can clinch the NFC East with a Giants loss and a win over the Panthers. They might have to rely on Dwayne Haskins Jr. to get them across that finish line if Smith is inactive.