Commanders' Deatrich Wise Jr. carted off after awkward leg injury at Lambeau Field
Defensive end injured during Packers extra-point attempt in second quarter; teammates and medical staff attended before he was taken off by cart.
Washington Commanders defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. was carted off the field after suffering a right-leg injury during the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
The 31-year-old was attempting to get through the line to block a Packers extra-point attempt when, on the play, a Packers player was pushed and inadvertently fell onto Wise's right leg. In a replay of the incident, Wise's leg appeared to bend awkwardly as he went to the ground. Teammates ran onto the field and medical personnel attended to him before he was placed on a cart and taken to the locker room. Teammates gathered around the cart and patted his helmet as he was removed.
Team trainers and the Commanders' medical staff evaluated Wise on the field following the play. Officials and team personnel delayed the game momentarily as the situation unfolded. The injury occurred early in the second quarter; the Commanders and Packers resumed play after Wise was removed.
Wise is in his ninth NFL season after signing with Washington in March on a one-year, $5 million deal. He spent the first eight seasons of his career with the New England Patriots, appearing in 126 games with 61 starts and recording 314 tackles, 34 sacks, 12 passes defended and five forced fumbles.
There was no immediate official update on the severity of Wise's injury from the Commanders at the time he was carted off. Players and coaches remained on the sideline as medical personnel attended to the situation, and the team later continued its game plan with backup personnel rotated into Wise's role on the defensive line.
Wise's experience and role on the Commanders' defensive front had been expected to be a stabilizing factor for Washington this season. The team added him in free agency with expectations that his veteran presence and pass-rush capability would contribute to the defensive rotation. The Commanders will likely provide a formal injury report following further evaluation and imaging, as is customary after a player is taken from the field in such circumstances.
The incident marked a tense moment early in the game at Lambeau Field, drawing concern from teammates and staff as the play unfolded. The outcome of any further roster or injury decisions will depend on the results of the team's post-game medical examinations and any subsequent testing.