Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
News: Terry McLaurin pops up injury list, Keenum practices
The Washington Redskins and New York Giants do battle on Sunday, but there's plenty of time between here and there for the Redskins to turn heads. The biggest surprise of the day was Case Keenum going from a non-participant in Wednesday's practice to full participant on Thursday. Perhaps Keenum felt Colt McCoy and Dwayne Haskins, both of whom also practiced. One player who didn't make it through a full practice, rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin. The Redskins' leading touchdown scorer in 2019 has a hamstring issue, and his status for Sunday is in the air.
The NFL is making headway with the NFLPA in their negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement, with real hope that a deal will be struck before the 2019 season is over. The build up toward a 17-game season is gaining momentum, amongst other possible changes. The ownership, including Daniel Snyder will have to give in order to get. Snyder also find his name popping up on 106.7 The Fan, as his lack of success comes to a head.
Redskins Trivia of the Day ::
The Redskins last won the NFC East in 2015, in Jay Gruden's second season as head coach. Three players that played in all 16 games for the Redskins in 2015 have also played in every game for the Redskins in 2019.
Name those three players.
Answers in the comments section, and stay tuned for the answer in tomorrow night's Redskins News!
Redskins backup Dwayne Haskins unfazed, patiently awaits his chance :: ESPN
When it comes to the quarterback situation in Washington, only Jay Gruden can know when we might see Dwayne Haskins. As of Thursday, he doesn't seem too confident in the rookie, ""He's got the skill set to do it," Gruden said. "There [is] a package of plays he can handle ... Obviously you wouldn't open the entire playbook for him nor would you need to, so you've got to make sure you cater to what he knows and what he's comfortable with, but he's got the skill set to do it.""
Despite Gruden's lack of faith in Haskins, at least as of right now, that doesn't mean Haskins feels the same way; he believes he can play now, and will only get better as he goes.
"I know I can play well and play at a high level," Haskins said. "But I want to keep getting better. I feel I can be really, really good. I want to be a great quarterback, one of those guys you talk about for years to come. That's not going to happen overnight.
Redskins Final Week 4 injury report :: Washington Redskins
The big jump of the day is Case Keenum going from a DNP on Wednesday to a Full Participant on Thursday. It looks like he'll be ready to go by Sunday. Jordan Reed, Brandon Scherff and Chase Roullier remain out as DNP's, while Terry McLaurin popped up as 'limited' with a hamstring issue.
Update:
Redskins' Terry McLaurin: Tending to hamstring issue :: CBS Sports
With McLaurin garnering the 'limited' tag on Thursday, without any designation during Wednesday practice means it's likely he picked up the injury during Thursday's practice. When head coach Jay Gruden was asked if the breakout rookie star was in danger of missing Sunday's game he quipped "I sure hop not." Not exactly a solid answer from Gruden, and McLaurin's injury will be one to check back on during Friday's practice.
One season after Alex Smith's injury, Redskins again dealing with QB turmoil, injury :: NBC Sports
The quarterback situation in Washington is clear as mud, and the head coach may want it that way. Gruden has been vague on his future plans for the trio Case Keenum, Colt McCoy and Dwayne Haskins. Keenum is the starter (for now), McCoy appears healthy enough to play (but will probably be a game-day inactive), and Haskins is the future of the franchise (but apparently not the present).
"The head coach can't give a real answer on the backup quarterback. He's not being dishonest or tricky, because it's unclear what player is healthy or if Haskins is actually ready."
Pro Football Focus has Case Keenum as their lowest-rated QB in the NFL :: Redskins Wire
Keenum has put up points for the Redskins, but it hasn't come easy, and he's susceptible to mistakes. Facing off against the Eagles, Cowboys and Bears' defenses isn't exactly the easiest slate of defenses to set your mark against either. Despite that, PFF has Keenum at No. 26 in their QB ranking, last place for any quarterback with more than one start.
Keenum’s stats were fool’s gold through two weeks, as he had a top-notch passer rating despite three turnover-worthy plays and no interceptions to show for them. Things evened off a bit on Monday Night Football, and he now leads the league with nine turnover-worthy plays after a three-interception outing and multiple disastrous fumbles.
All that said, Keenum’s adjusted completion percentage of 62.1% on 10-plus-yard throws ranks 11th in the league, but the poor decision-making and ball security have been among the league’s worst through three weeks.
Chris Russell: Snyder, Allen angry about Caps' success :: 106.7 The Fan
Russell is a Redskins and Capitals dual-coverage guy, and he had an interesting inside take on the competitive ownership groups on Wednesday, suggesting that Daniel Snyder was overly jealous of the Capitals success during their championship run since Snyder has yet to have any for himself.
"I know when the Capitals were doing what they did two years ago, that (Allen) and Dan were privately very, very angry and hostile and not happy about their success quite honestly," Russell said on 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday. "Maybe that has something to do a little bit with competitive business frustrations with (Capitals owner) Ted Leonsis, but they do not like to see anybody else praised and happy and doing good and advancing because they can't figure it out and they can't understand why they can't figure it out."
Of Redskins' problems, their NFL-worst third down defense might be most glaring :: Washington Post
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The Redskins defense can't seem to get off the field; they're dead last in allowing third down conversions. The impact of allowing continual third down success to the opposition is draining on both mind and body. The defense gets tired, leaving them exposed to further failure, and the failure kills the spirit. Something's got to give.
Sources: NFL owners proposing 17-game slate :: ESPN
The ownership has been said to be pursuing an 18-game regular season during negotiations but according to this latest report, they've let that go in favor of a 17-game concept. There had been talk of allowing players to skip a game or two during those schedules, but the ludicrousness of that has been acknowledged, and the idea dropped. The report also indicates that every effort is being made to wrap up the deal before the current CBA expires, and that its a very real possibility.
