Commanders' next move will tell fans everything about new injury concern

The Washington Commanders must feel like they've done something to upset the football gods this season. Every team deals with injuries, but head coach Dan Quinn has suffered more than arguably any other leader around the league through the first seven weeks of the campaign.

Every time the Commanders have a positive development on the health front, fresh setbacks seem to emerge. Washington is getting wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. back from their respective absences in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, quarterback Jayden Daniels is out, and breakout defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. won't be seen again in 2025 after sustaining a significant knee problem versus the Dallas Cowboys.

There are other complications. Formidable defensive tackle Daron Payne hasn't practiced all week and is officially listed as questionable with a toe issue. And the Commanders' next move will tell fans all they need to know about the status of kicker Matt Gay on Monday Night Football.

Commanders could have a kicking problem if Matt Gay isn't at 100 percent

Gay was a late addition to the injury report, and he's listed as questionable for the clash with a back injury. The veteran has performed well in recent weeks after an indifferent start. If he cannot go, the Commanders need to find a contingency plan quickly with no other kicker on the roster.

There isn't much time. If the Commanders add another kicker in the coming hours, that won't exactly paint the most promising picture regarding Gay's outlook. But if those in power decide to stand pat, that is far more encouraging.

Perhaps this is just precautionary, and Gay will be able to feature once he gets loose on game night. But either way, Commanders fans will be monitoring this closely.

Washington already has a mountain to climb at Arrowhead Stadium. The last thing Quinn needs is frailties at the kicking position. Gay can hopefully shake it off, but general manager Adam Peters must be ready to pivot if something is amiss with the former Super Bowl champion from Utah.

Quinn must be wondering when these health concerns about his team will end. Gay is the latest in a long line of essential players not at 100 percent right now. Hopefully, he can play through the pain barrier and make a valuable contribution when called upon, with the national spotlight once again glaring.

Anything less, and the Commanders' chances of securing an improbable success will all but evaporate.