Ron Rivera said there is a stomach bug going around the locker room, and it has already affected several players. Joshua Garnett and David Sharpe are both out of Sunday’s game against the Giants due to illness. Dwayne Haskins has been sick since the weekend, and just returned to practice today. Rivera said players were happy to see him back, but they still have to decide if he will travel to New Jersey.
The coaching staff is making personnel moves, and trying different combinations of players to find what works best for the team. Saahdiq Charles has been moved to guard and was getting 1st team reps all week. It’s been reported he will start at left guard on Sunday, but Rivera wouldn’t confirm that change yet. They will also try to get Cole Holcomb into the rotation as he returns from a Week 1 injury.
Injury updates:
Washington G Joshua Garnett and OT David Sharpe are both out for Sunday’s game because of illnesses (neither are believed to be COVID-19-related).
DE Ryan Anderson is questionable for Sunday @ NYG
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 16, 2020
Ron Rivera was asked if there’s a bug going around the WFT’s locker room: “Apparently it seems to be that, so we’ll see. Hopefully it’s not, but it’s this time of year with the flu starting to come out. So hopefully not. And I got to stay away from those guys.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 16, 2020
Personnel moves:
There have been a few shifts in personnel lately, and Rivera said the team is doing it to put themselves in the best position to win. They’re still trying to develop, but they’re trying to make a push for the upcoming stretch on the schedule.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 16, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Rivera on Haskins today: “He looked good. He went out and did the things he was supposed to and it was good to see him out there. A bunch of his teammates camp up and dabbed him up to let him know they’re glad to have him back, and that’s what I was hoping for.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 16, 2020
Ron Rivera when asked if Dwayne Haskins will travel to New York: “We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 16, 2020
Ron Rivera not clear if Dwayne Haskins will travel with the team to New York. He’s still dealing with stomach issues.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 16, 2020
Saahdiq Charles:
Rivera said Saahdiq Charles got an opportunity to work with the 1’s and 2’s this week. He looked good at practice and they want him to develop.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 16, 2020
Saadhiq Charles worked with both the 1s and the 2s today… Asked about starting Sunday, to sum it up from Rivera: “We’ll see….”
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 16, 2020
MetLife Stadium turf:
Ron Rivera isn’t worried about his team playing on MetLife Stadium’s turf this weekend. That’s where the 49ers had back-to-back injury-filled weeks of course. Washington practiced indoors today to help get accustomed to that kind of surface
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) October 16, 2020
Montez Sweat:
Montez Sweat has made strides, Rivera said. He still has some room to grow, but he has done everything the coaches have asked of him.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 16, 2020
Rivera said that DE Montez Sweat is “developing very nicely” and has “shown some big strides.”
“We’re excited for him, and we think he still has more room to grow, so that’s the best part about it.”
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 16, 2020
Cole Holcomb:
Rivera said the team is trying to get Cole Holcomb into the rotation to see where he fits in the system.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 16, 2020
Alex Smith:
Rivera on Alex Smith: “The rust is definitely getting knocked off now and that’s been definitely cool to watch.”
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) October 16, 2020
Ron Rivera on needing to see more out of Alex Smith to make an evaluation for future “I think so” and says the “rust is really getting knocked off now”
Turner mentioned how good he’s looked in practice too. #WashingtonFootball
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) October 16, 2020
Consistency:
Above all, Rivera said he is looking for consistency from his team in New York.
“We have to sustain success.”
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 16, 2020
Antonio Gibson:
Rivera said the coaching staff felt RB Antonio Gibson should have gotten the ball more at Memphis based on his explosiveness. Gibson had 14 TDs on 77 touches in 2 seasons at Memphis. He has 70 touches through 5 NFL games.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 16, 2020
