Taylor Heinicke to Start for WFT vs. Giants After Ryan Fitzpatrick Injury

Taylor Heinicke will serve as the Washington Football Team's starting quarterback in their Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants.

Washington head coach Ron Rivera confirmed the news to reporters Monday after announcing Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered a hip subluxation and will be out for at least three weeks.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Fitzpatrick is likely to miss six to eight weeks.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN first reported the news, while Ian Rapoport of NFL Network later reported Fitzpatrick would be placed on injured reserve. As for the hip injury, there's "no indication yet that it's season-ending," Rapoport noted. 

Fitzpatrick suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and was replaced by Heinicke, who threw for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported the Washington staff "believes in" Heinicke, a 28-year-old former undrafted free agent who is on his fifth NFL team. 

The Old Dominion product has thrown just 92 career NFL passes, totaling 589 yards and three touchdowns against three interceptions. His near-heroic performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in last year's Wild Card Round won him fans, but that was largely due to the low expectations coming into the game.

If Heinicke struggles and Fitzpatrick's absence is expected to last deep into the season, it's possible Washington becomes a landing spot for Cam Newton. Rivera and Newton were together for nine seasons in Carolina and have a strong relationship.

For now, though, it's Heinicke's show.