On Monday, December 3, 2018, two games after losing their starting quarterback, Alex Smith, to an open tibia shaft fracture, the Washington Redskins lost their back-up quarterback, Colt McCoy, to a fractured right fibula. Towards the end of the first quarter against the Eagles, McCoy’s right leg was caught on Eagle’s safety Malcom Jenkins’ leg during a run.  McCoy stayed in the game for five more plays before he was replaced by Mark Sanchez for the rest of the game.

Radiographs identified a fracture of the fibular.

The fibula is the smaller of the two bones that make up the lower leg.  Most fibula fractures are part of an ankle injury.  If the ankle is out of place, surgery is usually recommended. During surgery, the bone is repositioned to normal realignment and a metal plate and screws hold the bone in place. This injury will keep him out for the rest of the season.  Players have returned sooner, but there is risk involved as the bone takes 6 to 12 months for complete healing.