ASHBURN, Va. -- A few nuggets from Redskins Park on a Friday, including some players already out for Monday:
Redskins coach Jay Gruden said the starters will play at least a quarter in Monday’s preseason game against Cleveland. The Redskins will prepare a little bit for the Browns, but will do that more so for Baltimore, who they play a week from Saturday. Because the Redskins have a shorter turnaround, they did debate having their second game serve as their main one. But they decided to stick with the third game as the test run for the regular season.
Running back Chris Thompson (ankle), defensive end Jason Hatcher (knee) and linebacker Darryl Sharpton (ankle) were ruled out for Monday’s game. There’s a chance safety Brandon Meriweather (toe) won’t play as well, though Gruden said they want to wait and see.
Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins said he liked playing for former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, whom he’ll see again Monday night when he returns to FedEx Field with his new team, Cleveland. The Browns tried to trade for Cousins on draft day, but their offer of a fourth-round pick was rejected by Washington. Cousins said of Shanahan: “I liked his passion for the game, and most importantly his knowledge. I felt like he was putting me in a good position to succeed and his play calling and preparation gave me a chance. As a young player you need that.”
The Redskins have conducted their main practice in the morning almost every day but one (a 2 p.m. start, though they did not have full pads). In the past, some coaches here would practice at night to get ready for when they played a night game. Gruden did not want to go that route. “Most of our games are going to be at 1 o’clock anyway,” he said. “I don’t think it will be a difference – I hope. If we lose, I’m sure you’ll point to that.” The last line led to laughter, of course. Keep in mind, too, that the Redskins play four preseason games at night, which will prepare them well enough for their three night games this season.
Redskins owner Dan Snyder, Gruden and general manager/president Bruce Allen were among those who participated in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money. So, too, did corner DeAngelo Hall and tackle Trent Williams. Gruden then challenged former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs; Snyder, issued a challenge by NASCAR driver and Redskins fan Dale Earnhardt Jr., made one to Dallas owner Jerry Jones and Allen issued a challenge to the Redskins' cheerleaders.