In a stunning turn of events, the Washington Commanders have placed kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve following a critical performance setback against the Dallas Cowboys. The decision comes after Seibert missed two pivotal extra-point attempts during the Commanders' 34-26 loss, raising concerns about his reliability under pressure.
Before the showdown against the Cowboys, Seibert had converted all 22 of his extra-point attempts, making his dual misses an unexpected development. The first failure came after a 17-yard touchdown run by Jayden Daniels in the third quarter, followed by another miss post an 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin, leaving the Commanders trailing 27-26.
Seibert's missteps proved costly for Washington, as the Cowboys capitalized on their momentum, overcoming 10.5-point odds to seal the victory. The Cowboys also etched their names in NFL history by becoming the first team to score two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a single game. Key to their triumph was a standout performance by wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who expressed camaraderie with Seibert, acknowledging their shared background at the University of Oklahoma, saying, "Shoutout (Commanders kicker Austin Seibert). He went to OU with me. He gave us one."
The Commanders now face the pressing task of finding a suitable replacement for Seibert, a move necessitated not just by his recent performance but also by ongoing concerns about his right hip. Despite playing against the Cowboys with assurances that he felt "fine," the kicker’s physical condition remains a subject of speculation.
Reflecting on his performance, Seibert himself took full responsibility, unflinchingly stating, "I just want to play better for my teammates, you know, definitely don't want to do that. 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." His straightforward admission of guilt continued, as he brushed off any excuses related to a low snap on his final miss, stating, "It didn't make a difference at all. It's on me."
The Commanders find themselves in a reflective phase as they aim to recover their momentum following what can only be termed as a significant setback. While Seibert's immediate absence creates a void, the team's spirit and strategy will be put to test as they forge ahead without a key special teams player.
Amidst these challenges, Washington’s expectation is to quickly address this unexpected hurdle to prevent further disruptions to their campaign. The situation underscores the critical role of kickers in the team dynamics and how closely matches can hinge on their contributions.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, will ride high on their historical achievement, buoyed by performances like that of CeeDee Lamb, who was instrumental in turning tides in their favor. For now, the aftermath of this game serves as a poignant reminder of the game of inches that football often is, where precision and performance under pressure are duly rewarded.