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John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterSep 21, 2024, 02:23 PM ET
- John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington starting defensive end Clelin Ferrell was ruled out of Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a knee injury, removing a key defender from a struggling defense.
Ferrell, signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, has been dealing with an undisclosed knee issue this season. He was listed as questionable for the Week 2 game vs. the New York Giants but played and recorded a sack. Ferrell was listed on the injury report in Week 1 as well but was a full participant in practice all week.
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Washington (1-1) plays at the Bengals (0-2) on Monday night. The Commanders’ defense ranks 29th in scoring and 22nd in yards per game.
“[Ferrell] is an absolute warrior for us. Good news is this is not something that’s a long-term issue,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said.
Ferrell was placed on injured reserve in the playoffs with San Francisco last season because of a left knee injury suffered in the regular-season finale; it’s uncertain whether that is related to his current issue.
Ferrell leads Washington with two sacks. Washington also has veteran Dante Fowler Jr., rookie Javontae Jean-Baptiste and converted linebacker Jamin Davis to rotate at end in Ferrell’s place.
Quinn said the team would make a decision on the status of cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. during pregame warmups but that it was more likely he’d play the following week at Arizona. Forbes had surgery on his right thumb after the season opener and did not play in Week 2 vs. the Giants.
