Forbes to Miss Week 2 vs. Giants with Thumb Injury

Former first-round pick and starting cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is set to miss this week's game against the New York Giants due to a thumb injury, according to Head Coach Dan Quinn. Forbes, who struggled during his rookie season, was selected 16th overall in the draft and was expected to be an immediate upgrade for Washington's struggling secondary. Unfortunately, Forbes has yet to live up to those expectations, but it’s still early in his career, and there's time for him to turn things around. However, the numbers from his Week 1 performance don’t paint a favorable picture.

In the season opener against the Buccaneers, Forbes was called for two penalties on the same play, which led to his benching. His removal from the game, despite Washington's weakness at the cornerback position, speaks volumes about his current standing with the coaching staff. Tampa Bay’s offense, which ranked 20th last season, managed to thrive, with Baker Mayfield throwing four touchdown passes against a porous Washington secondary. Given the situation, it’s important for a young player like Forbes to get as many reps as possible, especially on a team that isn’t in immediate contention.

Now dealing with a thumb injury that will sideline him for a few weeks, Forbes has received some good news: Coach Quinn confirmed he won’t be placed on IR, meaning he could return sooner rather than later. This is a positive for both Forbes and the Commanders as they aim to solidify their defense. While Washington has talent across the roster, they won’t be able to win games if the secondary continues to struggle.

With the Giants coming to town, desperate to bounce back from their poor Week 1 performance, the Washington defense will need to step up, especially in Forbes’ absence. This inter-division rivalry has seen Washington on the losing end for quite some time, and the team is eager to change that narrative under a new regime. With Head Coach Dan Quinn known for his defensive expertise, there's hope that this unit can take a step forward. A win against New York this weekend could be the first sign of progress as Forbes works his way back from injury. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery and a triumphant return for the young cornerback.