Commanders WR Deebo Samuel’s honest thoughts on Washington’s injury troubles
The post Commanders WR Deebo Samuel’s honest thoughts on Washington’s injury troubles appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Every year in the NFL, there are always a few teams that get unfairly shafted with injuries. That’s just the nature of playing a violent sport like football. This season, the Washington Commanders are one of these teams, losing many of their players to injury.
The latest injury the Commanders experienced this season happened to arguably the most important position in football. Star quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a gruesome arm injury last week against the Seattle Seahawks. While Daniels didn’t need surgery for the dislocated elbow, the star quarterback will still miss a significant portion of the season.
How did the players react to Daniels’ injury? Well, Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel illustrated it best. The star wide receiver said that the injury “took all the air out of the ball”, per John Keim of ESPN. “It’s like, jeez, we can’t catch a break.”
The Commanders have been bruised and battered all season long. One of the biggest problems this season is that some of their position groups have been decimated by injuries. Wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown have missed a big chunk of the season. Both of their starting DEs, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Dorance Armstrong, are out for the year.
Then, against the Seahawks in Week 9, the Commanders lost three more players to injury. Wide receiver and special teamer Luke McCaffrey suffered a fractured collarbone, cornerback Marshon Lattimore tore his ACL, and Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow. It seemed like all three were destined to miss the rest of the season, but Daniels managed to avoid that fate at least.
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Still, both McCaffrey and Lattimore are out for the year. Sitting at 3-6 this season, the Commanders’ campaign hangs in the balance in Week 10. They face a tough challenge as they take on the powerhouse Detroit Lions. Marcus Mariota will once again stand in for Daniels, but they’ll continue to miss McLaurin for the next few games. Can the Commanders muster up the magic to upset the Lions despite their bruised and battered roster?
Spencer Rattler Breaks Silence: “NFL Doesn’t Care About Your Pain — You Have to Play Anyway”
In an emotional revelation that’s shaking the NFL to its core, Spencer Rattler of the
Rattler, who briefly played alongside Kneeland during his time with the New Orleans Saints, called the loss of his former teammate “devastating” and a stark reminder of the unspoken pressure NFL players face. But it wasn’t just about the grief — it was about the expectation to perform no matter what:
"Everyone thinks the NFL is just about football. But the truth is, they don’t care what you're feeling. They just expect you to show up and play. We’re told to shut off our emotions, but that’s not realistic. I feel like we’re not allowed to grieve the loss of a brother because we have to get ready for a game. That’s the cold reality of this league."
A Wake-Up Call to Fans: "We're Not Machines"
Rattler’s shocking admission sheds light on the emotional toll that NFL players endure, often sacrificing their own mental well-being for the sake of the game. As the
"We’ve got to put our feelings aside for the fans, for our coaches, and for our teammates. But losing someone like Marshawn—it’s like losing a brother. It’s not just a game. People don’t understand how much time we spend with each other, and now I have to focus on beating the Packers while mourning my friend. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do."
A Brotherhood in Crisis?
As the NFL grapples with the tragic loss of Kneeland, Rattler’s powerful words are raising serious questions about the emotional cost of playing professional football.
Is the NFL a family, or is it a brutal machine that demands players sacrifice everything — including their emotions — for the game? The death of Kneeland is only the latest in a long line of heart-wrenching moments that show just how much players endure off the field.
