

Quarterback Colt McCoy played in five games this season, but will miss the final two because of a neck injury. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

Updated, 3:33 p.m.:

Colt McCoy said he knew he’d aggravated his sprained neck the moment he was tackled on the opening series of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

After a battery of tests Monday confirmed that the only remedy was rest, Washington placed McCoy on injured reserve for the balance of the season, bringing an end to the career resurgence the 28-year-old had only begun to craft.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, McCoy seemed to be working hard to hold his emotions in check, calling the setback “a hard pill to swallow.”

“I’m pretty emotional about it because I do feel comfortable here,” said McCoy, who’d vaulted from third-string quarterback to starter this season and held out of hope of halting Washington’s five-game losing streak when he re-injured his neck Sunday. “I know that [Coach] Jay [Gruden] and [offensive coordinator] Sean [McVay] and I see eye to eye on a whole lot of things. We see the field the same way. I felt like there was a lot of positive things ahead for me. I’m not saying there isn’t still. I’m just frustrated I’m not going to be able to finish the season out with my teammates — finish strong, like our goal was.”

Robert Griffin III stepped in with Washington leading 3-0 at that point, but the Redskins suffered their sixth consecutive defeat, 24-13.

Redskins Coach Jay Gruden said the team wouldn’t sign a third quarterback for the two games that remain, choosing instead to elevate linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat from the practice squad to the extra roster spot. With McCoy on injured reserve, that assures Griffin of starting the final two games of the season, barring injury. Kirk Cousins becomes the team’s No. 2 quarterback.

McCoy said he intends to stay with the team for the balance of the season, taking part in quarterback meetings as customary and being available on the sideline to help Griffin and the offense any way I can.

“Jay wants me around,” McCoy said. “I’m going to give everything I can to help Robert be the best he can be, help our team. Love to find a way to win these next two weeks. I’ll continue to be a great teammate. I definitely don’t want to leave. I want to be a part of it. I feel like I can make a difference.”

A third-round draft pick in 2010 (85th overall), McCoy signed a one-year, $795,000 deal with the Redskins on April 3 after spending 2013 backing up Colin Kaepernick at San Francisco. He had spent his first three seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

McCoy said he’d like to return to the Redskins next season, given his comfort and familiarity in Gruden’s offense.

McCoy finishes the season with a 96.4 passer rating, currently the highest among Washington’s quarterbacks. He completed 91 of 128 throws for 1,057 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

He also rushed 16 times for 66 yards.

Most notably, McCoy engineered the only quality win to date in Washington’s 3-11 season, leading the team to a 20-17 overtime upset of the Cowboys at Dallas. But he didn’t get a chance to build on that victory, restored to backup status once Griffin fully recovered from the dislocated ankle he suffered in Week 2.

Griffin struggled, however, and was benched in favor of McCoy after his third consecutive loss as a starter.

With four games remaining and the offense in his hands, McCoy had finally reached the spot he’d been striving for the past several years.

But he sprained his neck in the fourth quarter against St. Louis. Though cleared to return for last Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, McCoy re-aggravated the injury when tackled on a four-yard scramble on the first series.

Original post, 2:50 p.m.:

During his regular meeting with reporters after Tuesday’s practice, Jay Gruden said quarterback Colt McCoy is finished for the season.

Mike Jones tweeted the news, and will follow shortly with a more thorough report. Here are McCoy’s stats this season.

Mccoy on IR and Jackson Jeffcoat on 53 — Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) December 16, 2014

Gruden says it's probably too late to bring in another qb. — Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) December 16, 2014

Mccoy said no longterm damage from his injury. Just needs rest. Very disappointed obviously. — Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) December 16, 2014

McCoy: "I'm very emotional about it because I'm very comfortable here and feel Jay, Sean and I see eye to eye on a lot of things." — Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) December 16, 2014

McCoy says he will be a good teammate and do what he can to help Griffin get better. — Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) December 16, 2014

Redskins have announced they're placing Colt McCoy on the injured reserve list. His season is over with two games left. — MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 16, 2014

No Colt McCoy @ #Redskins walk through today; RG3 and Kirk Cousins throw to each other pic.twitter.com/UqLJ4nSnSG — Liz Clarke (@lizclarketweet) December 16, 2014

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