Commanders place LB Cole Holcomb on IR

Cole Holcomb‘s injury absence will extend into January. The Commanders placed the starting linebacker on IR on Friday, mandating he miss four more games.

The fourth-year defender has been out with a foot injury since Week 7. Ron Rivera said earlier this week Holcomb was scheduled to visit a foot specialist. It is uncertain if Holcomb has an injury that will prevent him from playing again this season, but he is down until at least Week 17 as a result of this transaction.

This injury has prevented Holcomb from following up on his team-leading (by a mile) 142 tackles last season. Holcomb, 26, has been a Washington starter nearly throughout his career. Despite being a fifth-round pick, the North Carolina alum started 15 games as a rookie and has settled in as a key defender since.

This season, Pro Football Focus rates Holcomb 32nd among off-ball linebackers. Illustrating the impact Holcomb has when available, his 69 tackles are still 11 more than any other Commander this season. His contract is up at season’s end.