Out for the overall game -- and perhaps considerably longer -- having a knee injuries that looked and felt serious, Adrian Billings was on his long ago in the X-ray room within the deep stadium as he checked out a tv monitor.
"I see Toby split up the sideline," Billings stated. "So, 'Go, Toby, go.'"
What else could affect the Minnesota Vikings within the worst seasons in franchise history? What about losing Billings to some direct hit around the left knee and quarterback Christian Ponder to the concussion on back-to-back plays to begin the other half? It simply did not appear fair.
But here is a twist: The Vikings won the overall game. Backup copies Toby Gerhart and Joe Webb clarified the phone call, leading Saturday's 33-26 victory within the Washington Redskins and breaking a six-game losing streak.
"I'm able to enjoy my Christmas now," coach Leslie Frazier stated.
Gerhart scampered for any 67-yard run -- the play Billings saw on television -- to begin the very first series for Minnesota following the Billings-Ponder injuries and handle with 109 yards on 11 carries. Webb again designed a situation to become a beginning quarterback by tossing for 2 touchdowns and running for an additional. The Vikings (3-12) still are able to prevent finishing using the worst record in team history victory in a few days against Chicago would place them in front of the Minnesota team that went 3-13 back in 1984.
Requested if you're ready to provide the option-running Webb, who could easily get to begin in a few days because of Ponder's injuries, phone No. 1 job, Frazier did not hesitate.
"A few of the things he is doing, and what it really gives the relaxation in our team, you cannot ignore," Frazier stated. "Therefore it is something we are going to possess a real close look at once we move forward. He certainly lifts we.Inch
Webb surely was an uplifting presence Saturday, finishing 4 of 5 passes for 84 yards and hurrying five occasions for 34 yards. His 9-yard touchdown run came around the option, and that he put an ideal 17-yard scoring pass in to the arms of rookie tight finish Kyle Rudolph to provide the Vikings a 23-20 lead late within the third quarter.
"Once they generate ammunition like this... it's difficult to organize fully on the short week for 2 quarterbacks," Redskins linebacker Perry Riley stated of Webb. "It's difficult to alter it mid-stream like this.Inch
Webb's 8-yard pass to Percy Harvin broke a 23-23 tie at the start of the 4th quarter. Rookie Mistral Raymond's first career interception setup a 23-yard area goal by Ryan Longwell to provide the Vikings a ten-point lead with 4:05 to experience. Minnesota choose to go nine games with no pick before Raymond's large play.
The Redskins drawn inside a touchdown on Graham Gano's 47-yard area goal with 1:25 remaining. They were given the ball back following a punt, but Rex Grossman's final lengthy fling towards the finish zone fell incomplete to provide Washington (5-10) a sixth straight home loss, its longest such skid since 1994.
Billings stated he understood "it had been something bad" as soon as he was hit by safety DeJon Gomes in the finish of the 3-yard gain around the first offensive play from the other half. The X-sun rays were negative, but Billings was scheduled to have an MRI late Saturday following the team came back to Minnesota.
Billings is "this type of particular someone, that you would like to become right," Frazier stated, "before you decide to prognosticate on which (the injuries) may be.Inch
A torn anterior cruciate ligament, the worst-situation scenario, may likely sideline Billings for many nine several weeks making it hard for him to come back for the beginning of next season.
"When you have a blow towards the knee like this, you are worried about the ACL, MCL," Billings stated. "I am attempting to stay as positive when i can."
Around the play after Billings was hurt, Ponder experienced a mind injuries when sacked by Adam Carriker and London Fletcher. Ponder continued to be in the overall game for just one more play -- another-lower incomplete pass -- before going to the locker room.
Frazier stated Ponder had "concussion-like signs and symptoms." The coach stated he's uncertain if the quarterback will have in next week's season finale from the Chicago Bears.
"We'll need to weigh it whenever we return,Inch Frazier stated, "and I'll stick to the doctor's lead."
Using the way Webb is playing, Ponder could easily get a few days off anyway.