Team Notes week 16 2016

As ESPN.com's John Keim noted, the Redskins survived minus tight end Jordan Reed at times during the season. It was obvious they could have used more from him Monday night, but it was just as obvious Reed was still in a lot of pain.

And it's a bad night when the only highlight from him involves a punch and not a catch (only one for six yards). Reed, of course, was ejected in the fourth quarter of Washington's 26-15 loss to Carolina after he punched safety Kurt Coleman.

Reed appeared frustrated that Coleman wouldn't let go of his right arm (his injured shoulder was the left one) and after words were exchanged, Reed landed a punch.

It was an unfortunate way to sum up his night -- and it clearly begs for him to be smarter in such situations. There were points in the game where Reed took hard hits to the shoulder and perhaps he'd had enough when the incident with Coleman occurred. Reed was gone before the media entered the locker room and was therefore unavailable to talk.

"He's a very talented player, one of the best in this league and one of the best tight ends I've played with," receiver DeSean Jackson said. "He just made a mental mistake in the heat of the moment. I've been in situations like that."

But the punch aside, the bigger issue for Washington is what can it get from Reed over the final two games? He's a big part of the offense and even though the Redskins have survived in games without him, they're much better with him.

And the offense will face two excellent defenses in the final two games. Chicago's record is terrible (3-11) but the Bears' defense has played well (ninth in total yards; 16th in points). The New York Giants' defense is playing at a high level now, too (third in points per game and a combined 13 points allowed the past two weeks).

The Redskins are fighting for their playoff lives; to do so without Reed makes it tougher. After the game, head coach Jay Gruden only said they'll have to look at Reed's shoulder again. But it was obvious in the game that he was struggling with his left shoulder and that it bothered him to be hit on that side.

If that's the case, it's tough to put him on the field.

"For a few weeks this year, we haven't had him, and our offense has still been fairly productive," quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "So it's no excuse not having him."

No, it's not.

In two full games without him (the first Eagles game and against Detroit), the Redskins gained 906 yards total, including 546 through the air. He only played 10 snaps vs. Philadelphia last week, and they averaged 8.05 yards per play when he wasn't in the game (thanks in part to an 80-yard Jackson touchdown catch).

For the season, they've averaged 6.79 yards when Reed wasn't in the game (compared to 6.39 with him). His absence is no excuse; but they also don't want to lose one of the best at his position.

The Redskins still have enough talent to produce with Jackson and fellow receivers Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder plus tight end Vernon Davis. Cousins still completed 32-of-47 passes for 315 yards and an interception against Carolina.

But missed high, wide and low and failed to see some open receivers. Cousins certainly can -- and must -- play better.

But Monday? He wasn't good.

In fact, as the Sports Xchange noted, it was Cousins' worst effort since the season-opening loss to Pittsburgh.

He threw two interceptions that day. On Monday he fumbled once -- on the opening play of the second half -- and threw an interception. There were far too many drops by his sure-handed wide receivers, tight ends and running backs. Pierre Garcon had one. Vernon Davis had another. Chris Thompson had one, too. That hurt and is part of why Washington had a season-high six drives go three-and-out.

But Cousins wasn't always in rhythm, either. There were wild throws out of bounds and others that didn't seem to reach their intended target.

So while Reed's injury did not cause them to lose, it made it harder to win – and it will do so over the next two weeks even if Reed plays.

Along those lines. ... Head coach Jay Gruden said on Tuesday the plan as of now will be to play Reed versus Chicago. But Gruden added if after talking to Reed they feel it's holding him back too much then he might sit.

One last note on Reed. ... The anger that led to his ejection is uncharacteristic of the tight end, who remains third on the Redskins in catches (61) and fourth in targets (81) despite missing three games due to injury and being a limited factor in two more.

"(Reed is) a pretty laid-back guy," left tackle Trent Williams said "He lost his cool. It happens, man. Football's an emotional sport.

Also of interest. ... The Redskins were even worse running the ball than they were throwing it. Redskins players expressed bafflement afterward that they had just 13 carries -- and only 11 of those by the running backs. Washington finished with a season-low 29 yards and 2.2 yards per carry against a formidable Carolina front seven that was again without star linebacker Luke Kuechly (concussion).

Despite the disappointing overall outing, Cousins broke his own team record for passing yards in a season Monday night. He now sits at 4,360 yards and tied his own record for 300-yard passing games in a single season (seven).

Davis became the 12th tight end in NFL history to reach 500 career receptions in Monday's game against Carolina.

Dustin Hopkins missed his third extra point of the season. His struggles continue.

DEPTH CHART
QBs: Justin Fields, Tyson Bagent, Nathan Peterman
RBs: Khalil Herbert, D'Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, Khari Blasingame
WRs: D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, Tyler Scott, Velus Jones Jr., Trent Taylor, Equanimeous St. Brown
TEs: Cole Kmet, Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Jake Tonges