ASHBURN, Va. – Washington Redskins cornerback Chris Culliver missed another day of practice and the chances of receiver DeSean Jackson playing continue to drop.
Jackson missed another day of practice because of his hamstring injury. This would have been on the earlier end of his recovery anyway. When he injured the hamstring in the season opener, the estimate was for a three- to-four-week recovery.
“He’s not officially out yet,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “Weirder things have happened. He hasn’t practiced in a while and that’s a concern. You’d like to have your receivers and quarterbacks get work done [together]. He’s a special player so if he says he can go, there’s a chance.”
However, Jackson made it clear after he hurt himself that he did not want to rush back with this injury. Because he relies on his speed, Jackson wants to make sure his hamstring is completely healed.
As for Culliver, Gruden said his knee was still sore after tweaking it in practice Wednesday. Culliver was limping as he headed to the locker room at the end of practice Thursday.
“Anytime a guy doesn’t practice on Thursday, there’s a level of concern,” Gruden said. “But we are confident he’ll feel better tomorrow. Hopefully it clears up by [Friday].”
The Redskins can’t afford more losses in the secondary with corner DeAngelo Hall already out for three to four weeks with a toe injury and safety Duke Ihenacho on injured reserve. If Culliver can’t play, then the Redskins would have to start either Will Blackmon or Quinton Dunbar. Blackmon was signed after the season began and Dunbar switched from receiver to corner in training camp. They can use safety Kyshoen Jarrett as a slot cover corner. Bashaud Breeland will start at corner regardless.