Gilbert will start for Washington in Tuesday's game against Philadelphia after neither Taylor Heinicke (illness) nor Kyle Allen (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Just four days after Washington signed him off New England's practice squad, the 30-year-old Gilbert will pick up his second career NFL start. His first came last season as a member of the Cowboys, with Gilbert completing 21 of 38 attempts for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception to go with three carries for 28 yards in a 24-19 loss to the Steelers. So long as Washington is able to stay competitive with Philadelphia, expect head coach Ron Rivera to favor a run-heavy game plan headlined by Antonio Gibson, thereby allowing Gilbert to serve as more of a game manager. The Football Team should get at least one of Heinicke or Allen back from the list before its Week 16 game against Dallas, so Gilbert could move into the No. 2 role or off the 53-man roster entirely regardless of how he fares Tuesday.