Kirk Cousins needs a win. The quarterback is desperate to get a win on the board for the Washington Redskins as head coach Jay Gruden continues to defend Cousins' struggles. Injuries are not helping him out much as the quarterback is once again prepared to play without DeSean Jackson, but could be getting Jordan Reed back.
According to John Keim of ESPN.com, Jackson is not expected to play in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury. Jackson has missed five games so far this year as he once again be ruled a "long shot" to play on Sunday. This has been an ongoing issue for the Redskins who could be faced with decisions about Jackson's future at the end of the year. Washington is a few more losses away from having to rebuild in the offseason and the receiver's contract will be the first thing looked at.
Reed is expected to be back in the mix for Sunday as he has officially been cleared from his concussion. Keim reports the tight end did practice on Thursday and is expected to play on Sunday which is good news for Cousins as he is lacking consistent weapons on the field. Reed immediately becomes someone to look at in fantasy as the only other option for Cousins is Pierre Garcon and the newly emerged Jamison Crowder.
Cousins knows there is criticism out there. Gruden made it very clear that the quarterback will remain the starter for the rest of the season regardless while Robert Griffin III can only watch things unfold from the sideline. However, if criticism is coming from the media, Cousins made it clear that he is not listening.
"I turn on HGTV instead of ESPN," Cousins said, via ESPN.com. "There are times when you can intentionally block it out, if you're asking how to do that. I don't have a lot of social media on my phone. So it's not quite as accessible to me as maybe it is to some other guys. There are ways you can't hear it. It doesn't do me any good to hear that. I know what's at stake. I know how important it is to me and the people around me and this fan base."
Against Tampa Bay, Cousins has a chance to a win. Alfred Morris must begin to improve as Matt Jones is reportedly healthy after dealing with a toe injury. If the Redskins can get the run game like they have been hoping to, the absence of Jackson will not make as much of a difference for Cousins and the team.