Fitzpatrick (hip) announced his retirement Thursday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: It comes as no surprise after the now-39-year-old QB suffered a season-ending hip injury Week 1 last season. The Commanders were forced to turn to Taylor Heinicke under center for most of the year, with Fitzpatrick ultimately unable to recover without surgery. He had an arthroscopic procedure in December but will focus on something besides football now that he's healthy again. The 2005 seventh-round pick made starts for nine different NFL teams throughout his career, going 59-87-1 while throwing 223 touchdowns and 169 interceptions. Fitzpatrick's best seasons mostly came in the second half of his career, including 2015 with the Jets (31 TDs) and 2020 with the Dolphins (68.5 completion percentage).
Jun 2, 2022 10:28 AM EST
Fitzpatrick is scheduled to undergo a season-ending arthroscopic procedure on his right hip this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Three weeks ago, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reported that Fitzpatrick was unlikely to play again in 2021 due to the slow progress he made in his recovery from the partial dislocation of his right hip he suffered Week 1, but his impending arthroscopic surgery makes his shutdown official. Fitzpatrick is hopeful the surgery will allow him to return to full health by the early part of the offseason, but it's unclear if the 39-year-old will look to sign with another team or if he'll head into retirement. Taylor Heinicke has performed admirably as Washington's starter over his 11 starts, so the Football Team likely won't have interest in bringing Fitzpatrick back for a second season.
Dec 7, 2021 6:18 AM EST
Fitzpatrick (hip) is considered unlikely to return from injured reserve this season, a person familiar with his situation told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.
Analysis: When he suffered a partial dislocation of his right hip in Washington's Week 1 loss to the Chargers, Fitzpatrick was generally expected to return by midseason, but there hasn't been much positive news regarding his recovery in the two months since he went down with the injury. Though Fitzpatrick underwent an MRI on his last week that head coach Ron Rivera said showed "some progress," the veteran quarterback continues to experience pain and swelling in the hip and doesn't appear close to resuming practice. As a result, the Football Team may be inclined to shut Fitzpatrick down, given that he's a soon-to-be 39-year-old on an expiring deal who likely doesn't have much of a future on a non-contending club. Barring dramatic improvement in Fitzpatrick's rehab program in the next few weeks, Washington will get by with Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen as its quarterbacks for the rest of the season.
Nov 14, 2021 5:39 AM EST
Coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that Fitzpatrick (hip) has made progress but still isn't "way up there" in terms of positive news, with Rivera adding that he's been given no timetable for the quarterback's return, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: The team hasn't discussed Fitzpatrick much, apart from occasional updates on MRIs. The latest took place in early November and apparently didn't reveal enough progress for Fitzpatrick to start preparing for a return to practice. It sounds like his prolonged absence will extend well into November and quite possibly December, with a Week 9 bye not being the turning point some may have hoped for. Taylor Heinicke will make another start Week 10 against Tampa Bay, with Kyle Allen the other option at QB unless/until Fitzpatrick returns.
Nov 10, 2021 11:03 AM EST
Coach Ron Rivera said Monday that Fitzpatrick (hip) will have another MRI in two weeks, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Fitzpatrick wasn't expected to be ready to return until at least after Washington's Week 9 bye, and his MRI should give the team a better idea of his status. The 38-year-old doesn't appear to be particularly close to practicing, and Taylor Heinicke should continue to serve as the starting quarterback while Fitzpatrick remains on IR.
Oct 25, 2021 11:10 AM EST
Fitzpatrick (hip) is still on crutches and isn't expected to be ready to return from injured reserve until at least after Washington's Week 9 bye, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: When Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with a right hip subluxation in the first half of Washington's season opener, the team was optimistic the 38-year-old might be ready to make his return in six weeks. The end of that timeline has now arrived, however, and Fitzpatrick doesn't appear to be close to practicing, much less playing. Fitzpatrick's slow recovery from the injury should give Taylor Heinicke a longer leash as the Football Team's starting quarterback, but the latter's struggles in recent weeks could cost him the job if and when Fitzpatrick returns. Washington is expected to have a clearer target date for when Fitzpatrick might be ready to come off injured reserve when he likely gets an MRI next week.
Oct 24, 2021 5:38 AM EST
Coach Ron Rivera revealed Friday that Fitzpatrick (hip) hadn't yet undergone an MRI to evaluate his progress, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: A couple weeks back, there was talk of Fitzpatrick returning for the upcoming Week 7 contest in Green Bay. That clearly won't happen, and the lack of an update makes it seem like Week 8 might be a stretch. After that, Washington has a Week 9 bye and a Week 10 home game against Tampa (Nov. 14), with the latter making some sense as the target date for a return. It is possible Fitzpatrick rejoins the team in a backup role, though Taylor Heinicke's recent performance trends toward the veteran reclaiming the starting gig.
Oct 22, 2021 9:58 AM EST
Fitzpatrick (hip) could be cleared to return from injured reserve as soon as Week 7, when Washington plays in Green Bay, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.
Analysis: Meanwhile, head coach Ron Rivera was less willing to speculate how soon Fitzpatrick might be activated from IR when he met with the media Monday, acknowledging only that the veteran signal-caller is "progressing" in his rehab program, per Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports Washington. Shortly after Fitzpatrick suffered the right hip subluxation in the Sept. 12 season opener, initial reports suggested the quarterback would miss 6-to-8 weeks, so a return during the short end of that timeline still appears realistic. For at least one more game, Taylor Heinicke will serve as Washington's starting quarterback, but a poor showing this weekend against the Chiefs could prompt Rivera to reinsert Fitzpatrick atop the depth chart once healthy.
Oct 11, 2021 12:41 PM EST
At this stage, Fitzpatrick has no plans to undergo surgery to address his hip injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: A decision to address his a hip subluxation through rest and rehab was arrived at after the QB consulted medical experts and underwent a battery of tests. Per Rapoport, Fitzpatrick is expected to miss about eight weeks, meaning that as things stand, Taylor Heinicke is in a position to start for the team into November.
Sep 16, 2021 10:23 AM EST
Washington placed Fitzpatrick (hip) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Analysis: The roster move was fully expected after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that Fitzpatrick would be sidelined for about 6-to-8 weeks after sustaining a right hip subluxation early in his Washington debut in the Week 1 loss to the Chargers. With Fitzpatrick out of the mix, Taylor Heinicke will step in as the Football Team's new starting quarterback beginning with Thursday's game against the Giants, while Kyle Allen moves up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
Sep 14, 2021 12:06 PM EST
Head coach Ron Rivera indicated Tuesday that Fitzpatrick (hip) will be placed on injured reserve in the near future, Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: This is hardly a surprise given Fitzpatrick's 6-to-8 week timetable for the hip subluxation he suffered during Sunday's season opener versus the Chargers. The veteran was still involved in meetings Tuesday and figures to be available again at some point this season, but Taylor Heinicke is in line to take over the starting duties in his absence. Kyle Allen should serve as the top backup.
Sep 14, 2021 10:35 AM EST
Fitzpatrick's MRI on Monday revealed a hip subluxation, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Per the report, Washington plans to place Fitzpatrick on injured reserve after his MRI confirmed his diagnosis, although it's not yet clear whether the issue will end his season. Taylor Heinicke will serve as the starting quarterback during Thursday's Week 2 matchup against the Giants and figures to remain the starter while the 38-year-old remains sidelined. Kyle Allen will be available as the primary backup, while the team added Kyle Shurmur to its practice squad Monday. Once Fitzpatrick is officially placed on injured reserve, the earliest he'll be able to return will be Week 5 against the Saints on Oct. 10.
Sep 13, 2021 9:48 AM EST
Fitzpatrick (hip) could be out anywhere from a few weeks to the rest of the season, pending the results of Monday's MRI, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The quarterback is believed to have suffered a subluxation of his right hip in the second quarter of Sunday's season-opening loss to the Chargers. He's scheduled for an MRI early Monday, but it isn't clear when Washington will provide an update on the results. Depending on what doctors see, Fitzpatrick could be back within a few weeks or could be facing a multi-month absence. Either way, he's a strong candidate to be placed on injured reserve, which would mean a minimum of three missed games. Taylor Heinicke figures to start at quarterback for Washington in Week 2, hosting the division-rival Giants on Thursday Night Football.
Sep 13, 2021 6:34 AM EST
Fitzpatrick may have a subluxation of his right hip and will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Fitzpatrick left the field early in the second quarter of Sunday's eventual 20-16 loss to the Chargers and didn't return. Washington is hopeful that the veteran signal caller didn't suffer a fracture, but the upcoming evaluation will provide more definite answers. In any case, it appears Fitzpatrick is poised for an absence of some type, which would thrust Taylor Heinicke into the starting lineup.
Sep 12, 2021 3:42 PM EST
Fitzpatrick (hip) won't return to Sunday's contest against the Chargers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Fitzpatrick's last play before his departure was an incompletion early in the second quarter, leaving him 3-for-6 passing for 13 yards and one two-yard carry. With the graybeard out of commission, Washington has turned over the offense to Taylor Heinicke.
Sep 12, 2021 11:44 AM EST
Fitzpatrick was forced out of Sunday's game against the Chargers with a right hip injury, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: As a result, Taylor Heinicke has taken over Washington's QB duties versus the Chargers. Prior to his exit from the contest, Fitzpatrick had completed three of six passes for 13 yards.
Sep 12, 2021 11:14 AM EST
Fitzpatrick is slated to start at QB for Washington in Week 1 and beyond, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Analysis: Though the assignment hasn't been officially confirmed by the team, this is an expected outcome, considering the way things have played out during the team's preseason. The well-traveled veteran QB is in line to be backed up by Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen.
Aug 29, 2021 11:51 AM EST
Fitzpatrick is one of many starters who won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: A large chunk of the roster is expected to sit, including QB Taylor Heinicke, RB Antonio Gibson, WRs Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Adam Humphries and Cam Sims and TE Logan Thomas. Coach Ron Rivera called the QB spot a competition between Fitzpatrick and Heinicke earlier this summer, but it hasn't had the look of a real job battle so far, with Fitzpatrick starting the first two preseason games while Taylor Heinicke worked almost exclusively with the second-string offense. Fitzpatrick likely will get the start Week 1 against the Chargers.
Aug 28, 2021 1:32 PM EST
Fitzpatrick completed seven of his 13 pass attempts for 96 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions in Friday's preseason game against the Bengals.
Analysis: Fitzpatrick led four offensive series for Washington, though that resulted in only three points. However, he did connect with some of his top receivers for big gains, highlighted by a 28-yard completion to Logan Thomas and a 29-yard gain on a deep pass to Dyami Brown. Though Fitzpatrick has not been formally named the starter in Washington to begin the season, he has started both of the team's preseason games to this point and is presumably locked into the role.
Aug 20, 2021 8:52 PM EST
Fitzpatrick completed five of eight passes for 58 yards without a touchdown or interception in Thursday's 22-13 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: Fitzpatrick's two drives ended with a punt and a missed field goal. He remains a step ahead of Taylor Heinicke -- who completed nine of 15 passes for 86 yards -- in the competition for Washington's starting quarterback job heading into Week 2 of preseason against the Bengals. Expect Fitzpatrick to start that game as well.
Aug 12, 2021 8:05 PM EST
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