Washington Commanders Face Eagles with Zane Gonzalez as Kicker Due to Austin Seibert Injury

The Washington Commanders are gearing up for a crucial Thursday Night Football game against their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. However, they will be without their leading scorer, kicker Austin Seibert, who has been ruled out due to a hip injury. This injury kept Seibert out of the Commanders’ last game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and will also keep him sidelined for the Eagles matchup.

To fill the void, the Commanders have elevated Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad for the second consecutive week. Gonzalez, a 28-year-old kicker, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He has had stints with several teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers. In his recent outing with the Commanders, Gonzalez performed well, making both of his two field goal attempts (both from 40+ yards) and all three extra point attempts against the Steelers.

Gonzalez’s career stats highlight his consistency. In 2017 with the Browns, he made 15 of 20 field goals and 25 of 26 extra points. With the Cardinals in 2019, he had a standout season, converting 31 of 35 field goals and 34 of 35 extra points. In 2021 with the Panthers, he made 20 of 22 field goals and 22 of 23 extra points, showcasing a 90.9% field goal percentage and 95.7% extra point percentage.

The Commanders, coming off a loss to the Steelers, are looking to get back on track and stay competitive in the NFC East. Quarterback Jayden Daniels remains a key player, leading the team with 464 rushing yards and four touchdowns, despite his recent setbacks.

The game against the Eagles is critical for the Commanders, who have only beaten one team with a winning record this season. The team’s performance will be closely watched, especially with the division lead at stake).