Commanders Face Setback as Kicker Austin Seibert Lands on Injured Reserve
In a challenging turn of events for the Washington Commanders, kicker Austin Seibert has been placed on injured reserve following a problematic performance in their recent 34-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The setback for Seibert comes after a disappointing game in which he missed two crucial extra points, a rare lapse for a player who had successfully converted all 22 extra-point attempts up to that point in the season.
Seibert's troubles began following a 17-yard touchdown run by Jayden Daniels in the third quarter, where his missed extra point began to raise eyebrows. The situation only deteriorated when he missed another attempt after an impressive 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin. These two missed opportunities left the Commanders trailing the Cowboys 27-26, a margin that significantly altered the game's dynamics in the favor of their opponents.
The confidence-shaking performance was unexpected, particularly given Seibert’s previous reliability. Despite an earlier mention of his right hip being a concern, Seibert chose to participate against the Cowboys, confident in his physical condition. "I felt fine. That's why I made the decision to play, and here we are," he remarked, indicating that his physical state was not a factor in his subpar performance.
Seibert, reflecting on his struggles, candidly acknowledged the mishaps during the game, taking full responsibility. "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," he stated. Even when faced with a low snap during his final extra-point attempt, Seibert maintained, "It didn't make a difference at all. It's on me."
The Commanders, now grappling with the absence of their kicker, are tasked with finding a suitable replacement to regain traction and stability in their kicking game. Meanwhile, on the opposing side, the Dallas Cowboys celebrated multiple victories, overcoming 10.5-point odds to clinch the game. The Cowboys also etched their names into the history books as they became the first NFL team to score two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a single game.
CeeDee Lamb, one of Dallas’ formidable assets on the field, extended a playful acknowledgment towards his former Oklahoma University teammate, Austin Seibert, for inadvertently aiding their victory. "Shoutout (Commanders kicker Austin Seibert). He went to OU with me. He gave us one," Lamb quipped, highlighting the intertwined narratives of sports personalities.
For the Commanders, the road ahead is about recovering momentum and addressing the gaps left by Seibert's absence. With their kicker sidelined, the team is navigating not only physical replacements but also psychological resilience as they seek to bounce back from this sudden and impactful change in their roster composition. The Commanders and their fans are hopeful that the team's next steps will stabilize the course after this recent hindrance, continuing their season with the determination and grit that marks their franchise history.