ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington football team fined quarterback Dwayne Haskins $ 40,000 and removed him from the role of team captain three days after he was photographed at an event with strippers while not wearing a mask.
But there’s still a chance he’ll continue to start toward Washington (6-8), which will host the Carolina Panthers (4-10) on Sunday. Alex Smith did not practice due to the tense right calf, which limited him to playing fishing while his teammates stretched.
Haskins apologized to his teammates and recaptured initial reps during his practice.
Washington also responded to backups of Taylor Heinicke and Steven Montez, both active last week with Smith offside.
On Sunday, Haskins attended his girlfriend’s birthday party at a hotel where the strippers were. It was the second time he had violated COVID-19 protocols this season. Earlier this year, he made a reservation for a family friend at the team hotel the night before a game at the New York Giants.
“I know I shouldn’t have put my team at risk,” Haskins said.
Haskins, who like his teammates has been tested daily, has to practice with a mask and a face mask with a special shield. Attend meetings by conference call.
Haskins said it was difficult to address the situation publicly.
“When you do damage, you have to be able to admit it,” he said. “That’s what I had to do.”