PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Brandon Scherff #75 of the Washington Redskins is helped off the field due to an injury in the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

In the offseason of 2018, it was assumed that the Redskins would have better luck in the injury department after their disastrous 2017 season. Then 2018 happened.

Once deemed a coincidence, the Washington Redskins injury issue is now impossible to ignore.

It’s a subplot of seasons past that’s diluted Jay Gruden’s time in D.C. Injuries. People debate about the causation and the potential remediation techniques, but the one certainty is that injuries, normally an uncertainty in the NFL, have been very prevalent for the Redskins in recent years.

Through 2017 and 2018, the Redskins saw a grand total of 54 players hit injured reserve, and even more dealt with recurring injuries whilst playing through them. The injuries chipped away at the team’s depth, and in 2018, they ultimately played a part in derailing what was once a potential playoff campaign.

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Injuries, of course, don’t constitute the full extent of Washington’s issues, but they’ve been hit harder than most in recent years, and as a result, they’re taking an introspective approach. Per Chris Lingenbach of 106.7 The Fan, the Redskins have hired outside consultants to oversee their injury response protocol, and help streamline their approach to mitigate concerns.

In Lingenbach’s article, a quote from Michael Phillips of The Richmond Times is provided, where Phillips describes the gravity of the situation in Washington. Here is that quote from Phillips:

One thing I will tell you, though. Bruce Allen and the Redskins were so concerned about [the injuries], they hired outside consultants to come into the building this offseason and examine everything about the way the Redskins handle injuries. Top, down. Top to bottom. [Bruce Allen] gave them full latitude of the building – ask questions, do whatever you want. So I can tell you that while it is still happening, that’s bad, there’s at least a general awareness that this is bad and this is not normal.

No specific firm name was given in the article, but it’s clear that the front office is aware of the problem at hand, and aware of the effects a potential solution could have. In the process of building a better team, the Redskins can’t get caught by the injury bug again. It’s the kind of negative externality that closes windows before they even open.