Wendell

Smallwood

Smallwood’s return comes at a good time with Antonio Gibson (turf toe) questionable for Sunday night’s game. Smallwood, who was expected to play the J.D. McKissic role before going on the Week 15 COVID list, will be part of a committee with Jaret Patterson and Jonathan Williams if Gibson sits.

Washington’s game has been pushed back to Tuesday. And while Smallwood will definitely miss the game, it’s possible that the additional time will allow J.D. McKissic (concussion) to play, rendering Smallwood’s status a moot point. Smallwood’s status is in doubt for Week 16’s game against Dallas as well. If McKissic is not active for Week 15 against the Eagles, Antonio Gibson will see a small bump in value.

With J.D. McKissic sidelined, Smallwood is expected to see pass-game reps over Jaret Patterson. Antonio Gibson should still run the majority of routes in this backfield and could push for an 80% snap share against the Raiders. Gibson saw a season-high usage as a pass catcher with McKissic going down last week, catching all seven of his targets for 35 yards in a win over Seattle.

Rivera indicated that Smallwood would have the McKissic role, “to a degree.” Smallwood is a journeyman, who is unlikely to be able to work into a large role quickly, but he does create risk of a three-man backfield this week. Still, Antonio Gibson has been a capable receiver this year and should be expected to run a majority of routes against the Raiders. Gibson has upside for an 80%+ snap share in a good matchup.

Chicago also worked out Brian Hill and Wendell Smallwood. This doesn’t impact David Montgomery or Damien Williams much, but it doesn’t bode well for Tarik Cohen’s prospects of playing anytime soon if they sign one of these backs. Cohen has struggled to return from an ACL injury suffered in 2020.

Smallwood will join the Pittsburgh backfield after spending a year in Washington in which he barely played. Once sought after in dynasty leagues, Smallwood got his most action in 2018, when he rushed 87 times and caught 28 passes for the Eagles, totaling 594 yards and five touchdowns.

Smallwood has touched the ball nine times in two games without Chris Thompson (toe). His “value” will disappear immediately upon Thompson’s return. Even if Thompson remains sidelined, Smallwood won’t be a FLEX for Week 9 vs. the Bills.

Smallwood will have a role Sunday with Chris Thompson (toe) out. He should spell Adrian Peterson on third downs, but he’s not likely to see the 49 percent of snaps Thompson was getting. Smallwood doesn’t have much streaming value in a tough matchup with the 49ers defense.

Beat reporter JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington noted practice-squadder Craig Reynolds was getting reps with the first-team offense Thursday, a sign the Redskins could be preparing him for a role in Week 7. Obviously that doesn’t bode well for Thompson, who has yet to practice this week and faces long odds to play Sunday against the undefeated Niners. If he sits, it would elevate third-stringer Wendell Smallwood to backup status behind workhorse Adrian Peterson.

Smallwood couldn’t quite crack the Eagles’ suddenly-full backfield, but he’s found a new home in Washington. He posted respectable 211-850-5 rushing and 47-388-2 receiving lines in 37 games with the Eagles from 2016-2018, although it’s tough to see him getting much consistent work in Washington. Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice are expected to soak up most of the unit’s early-down reps, while Chris Thompson is locked in as the offense’s pass-down back.