Washington Commanders veteran concerningly misses practice again with ankle injury

The Washington Commanders released their Wednesday injury report, and one key player's status is officially a concern.

For the second consecutive day, Bobby Wagner did not practice with an ankle injury.

There's no telling how big of a loss Wagner would be if he is unable to go this weekend. The longtime veteran linebacker made arguably the biggest play of the game for the Commanders in their 23-20 Wild Card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter that set Washington up inside the opposing 20-yard line.

Wagner has been a valuable presence all season long, leading the team with 132 tackles while racking up two sacks and two fumble recoveries during the regular season. He was named a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl first alternate, showing no signs of slowing down even in Year 13 of his Hall of Fame-worthy career.

Wagner's leadership has also played a major role in Washington's locker room. He has taken his younger teammates under his wing and built strong friendships with many of them, including QB Jayden Daniels as the two of them have cultivated an entertaining, trash-talking bromance of sorts.

On the bright side for Washington, Wagner was one of only two players who did not practice on Wednesday, the other being another linebacker in Jordan Magee. TE Zach Ertz (rib), WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring) and DT Daron Payne (finger) were among the notable players who were limited.

Washington will have to hope that Wagner's ankle is feeling better by Saturday, when the team takes on the Detroit Lions with a trip to the NFC Championship on the line.