Commanders RB J.D. McKissic shut down for second straight year with neck injury

The Washington Commanders placed running back J.D. McKissic on injured reserve with a neck injury. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports McKissic’s season is over as his neck injury requires a few months of rehab.

It’s the second straight year McKissic’s season ends due to his neck. Last season, McKissic suffered a neck injury after a hit during a Week 13 game against the Seattle Seahawks. He got carted off the field. The Commanders then shut him down for the season.

J.D. McKissic re-signed with the Commanders this offseason on a two-year, $7 million deal after agreeing initially to a similar deal with the Buffalo Bills in free agency.

This season, McKissic appeared in eight games as Washington’s third-down back. He had 27 catches for 173 yards. He also had 95 yards rushing on 22 attempts.

McKissic last played in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. At some point afterward, he visited a specialist as Washington approached the injury with caution. He did not play the previous two weeks against Minnesota and Philadelphia before being shut down Saturday.

The 29-year-old is in his third season with the Commanders. He had a breakout season in 2020 with 80 receptions, leading the NFL among running back. He compiled a career-high 954 yards from scrimmage.

McKissic appeared well on his way to equaling those numbers last season before he suffered his first neck injury after 11 games. Now for the second straight year, McKissic’s season ends prematurely due to a neck injury.