Observations
1 The Redskins did not have an overly intense practice, their first since Thursday’s 7-6 preseason win over Buffalo. They practiced in protective shells rather than full pads. But rookie quarterback Kirk Cousins still put a jolt into a couple plays with his arm. On both occasions Cousins was chased from the pocket. The first time he slid to his right, set his feet and threw deep down the left side for receiver Samuel Kirkland, who beat Travon Bellamy. Later, Cousins again was chased to the right and unloaded a deep pass to receiver Aldrick Robinson, who beat David Jones.
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2 Punter Sav Rocca worked a little bit during the special teams portion of practice and was inconsistent. Rocca was inconsistent during the Bills game as well, with one punt having a hangtime around 3.5 seconds and another around 5.2. One reason the Redskins’ punt coverage excelled last year was Rocca’s punts — and his hangtime in particular.
3 Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan seems to be doing a better job this year of staying low and getting more explosion off the ball. Kerrigan showed a little of that Saturday when he quickly got off the ball, got under the pads of tight end Fred Davis and got into the backfield, forcing a back to cut upfield too soon.
4 Tight end Niles Paul struggled catching the ball vs. Buffalo, but his hands were fine Saturday. Paul caught two passes during full-team work. The ironic thing about Paul is that the concern some had over his switch to tight end was blocking. But he handled that role well Thursday, showing quick feet and good hands. Paul was able to hook ends and linebackers by quickly getting his feet in position and then using his hands to hold them off. Another time Paul got downfield quickly to throw a block. He won’t be asked to block straight ahead at the line too often, which allows him to focus on using quickness and not strength.
Notes
» Left tackle Trent Williams missed practice because of a bone bruise in his left foot suffered in Thursday’s 7-6 preseason win over Buffalo. Coach Mike Shanahan said Williams is “pretty sore right now. We have to play it day-by-day. I know it’ll be a few days. It’s wait and see right now.” Williams, who is having an outstanding camp, is the fourth member of the starting offensive line to be sidelined. Right guard Chris Chester, who sprained his left ankle in practice last week, is about 85 percent recovered, Shanahan said. But left guard Kory Lichtensteiger (knee) remains sidelined until the regular season. And right tackle Jammal Brown (hips) is still rehabilitating. “I can’t say there’s much improvement,” Shanahan said of Brown. Also, backup left guard Maurice Hurt did not practice because of inflamed tendons behind his left knee. Shanahan said he wasn’t sure whether Hurt would practice Monday. Jordan Black, who signed after camp began, worked with the starting offensive line at left tackle Saturday. Rookie Josh LeRibeus worked with the No. 1 offense at left guard. “You’re always disappointed when somebody goes down,” Shanahan said. “But it’s the nature of the game, and that’s why you need a little depth. … We have more depth than a year ago, and [it’s] a good thing we do.”
» Defensive end Jarvis Jenkins (flu-like symptoms), cornerback Morgan Trent (knee/shoulder), receiver Anthony Armstrong (shoulder) and fullback Darrel Young (hamstring) did not practice. Shanahan said Armstrong likely will play at Chicago on Saturday. But Young will miss at least another week.
Player of Note
WR Santana Moss
It wasn’t a huge surprise that Moss did not start the preseason opener vs. Buffalo. Moss, 33, looked fresh in the spring and again in training camp. But the Redskins also want to keep him fresh for 16 games during the season. They will ask him to play in the slot, but if Leonard Hankerson is productive as the No. 2 receiver opposite Pierre Garcon, it allows them to keep Moss, who lost some explosiveness last year, only in the slot — and, they hope, fresher and more productive.
