NFL
The Washington Redskins held their final practice before hosting the New York Jets for some joint practices to end training camp. Washington returned to practice after their 26-17 defeat against New England on Thursday night.
The loss was meaningless, but it stung for obvious reasons. On Friday, the team announced that rookie running back Derrius Guice was lost for the season. The injury bug struck again yesterday at Redskins practice with yet another player lost for the season.
Injuries Once Again An Issue
Wide receiver Robert Davis suffered a torn LCL and broken leg. This is disheartening news for Davis and the team. A sixth-round pick in 2017, Davis was on track to make the team as the fifth receiver.
Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but it opens the door for another player to step up. “Mr. Irrelevant,” Trey Quinn is now appearing like a lock to possibly make the team. I got the chance to get some words from Quinn after practice, who suffered a brutal hit against the Patriots and didn’t return to the game.
“I feel fine. I mean it’s football you’re gonna have bruises. Little knicks and knacks here and there. So uh, yeah. It’s just part of it. But I’m fine, and I’m just excited to be back out here.”
Players That Stood Out
Quinton Dunbar had an impressive day yesterday as he had an interception and was a pest in coverage. Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray was heard from the sideline constantly singing the praises of Dunbar. The Redskins desperately need him to elevate his game. He has developed nicely as a cornerback, but now Dunbar needs to become accustomed to the position full-time.
Although the Redskins weren’t in pads, Da’ron Payne was a full participant in 11-on-11’s. Health is once again becoming a detriment for the team, but it’s encouraging that Payne was back at practice. He took the majority of first-team reps at nose tackle.
Maurice Harris should certainly be a lock to make the roster. He’s been having a decent offseason, and it has translated to the field. Harris had some success against Stephon Gilmore on Thursday night. Harris also took reps with the first and second team offense yesterday.
Redskins Speak On Guice’s Injury
It’s hard to say what the Redskins lost because Derrius Guice still hasn’t proven himself during the regular season. However, the team fully expected Guice to be a focal point of the offense this season. Now Robert Kelley is once again in line to be the starting running back. Yesterday at practice, Kelley offered his words on Guice’s unfortunate injury.
“It’s just tough man, that guy was a special kid man. I mean, he is a special kid. I’m not gonna say was, he is. The energy he was bringing to the team was second to none. And I think it’s a loss for the team most definitely.
I’m just disappointed for him because I know what he can do, I know what he was gonna do this season. But I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s gonna do next year and how strong he’s gonna come back.”
Trent Williams Gives His Input On The Situation
I also had the opportunity to hear from left tackle Trent Williams who also voiced his thoughts on Guice being lost for the 2018 season.
“It’s heartbreaking. It’s heartbreaking not only for the team; you know that he was a major asset that we planned on having contribute to us winning games. But to the person, I mean he just accomplished a lifelong dream of being in the NFL and to suffer a setback in his first game, I know it can be back breaking to a lot of people.
But he’s a strong-minded individual, and I think that he’ll come out of this better than what he was. But you know for me, from the outside looking in, I just I hate that it happened to him. When it [injury] happens to anybody you feel it, but when it happens to somebody who’s so happy and just enjoys the game of football as much as he does, it really is a gut blow.”
Washington will host the Jets for joint practices from Sunday-Tuesday. The two teams play each other Thursday night on ESPN.
