In a turn of events that punctuated a turbulent outing for the Washington Commanders, kicker Austin Seibert was placed on injured reserve following their 34-26 defeat at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys. The game, marked by two missed extra-point attempts from Seibert, handed the Cowboys a significant victory while putting the Commanders in a precarious position regarding their kicking game.
Seibert, who had previously been perfect on his extra-point attempts this season—successfully converting all 22 attempts—found himself struggling during Sunday's contest. His first miss occurred after a 17-yard touchdown run by Jayden Daniels in the third quarter. The second miss followed a momentous 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin, leaving Washington trailing 27-26. Despite concerns over a right hip issue, Seibert had declared himself fit to play, stating, "I felt fine. That's why I made the decision to play, and here we are."
Seibert's performance drew attention not only for its immediate implications on the scoreboard but also for its contribution to an anomalous game that saw the Cowboys make history. Dallas became the first team in NFL history to score two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a single game, a testament to their resilient performance against the Commanders, who had odds stacked against them as heavy as 10.5 points.
Reflecting on his gameplay, Seibert expressed a poignant commitment to his team, acknowledging the weight of his missteps. "I just want to play better for my teammates, you know, definitely don't want to do that," Seibert lamented. "Just wasn't striking well, but it means a lot to me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot... moving forward." Despite the adversity on the field, he took full responsibility for the missed opportunities, saying, "It didn't make a difference at all. It's on me," in reference to a low snap during his final extra-point attempt.
CeeDee Lamb, a prominent figure in Dallas's victory, couldn't resist a light-hearted jab at his former college companion. "Shoutout [Commanders kicker Austin Seibert]. He went to OU with me. He gave us one," noted Lamb, underscoring the friendly yet competitive nature of the league.
The Commanders now face an urgent task of filling the void left by Seibert as they seek to regroup and regain their momentum in the season moving forward. His absence introduces a new dimension of challenge for the team as they navigate the remainder of the campaign while also spotlighting the unpredictable nature of professional football—a sport where even the most reliable performers can face unforeseen hurdles.
With the significance of special teams often magnified in tightly contested NFL games, Washington's management will need to find a replacement who can restore confidence in critical scoring situations. As the Commanders rehabilitate their kicking woes, the team and its fans are hopeful that Seibert's recovery is swift, and that Washington can chart a steady course over coming matchups.