The Washington Redskins continue their preseason journey as the team returns to FedEx Field to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the second game of the preseason. Here are three things to look for in this game.
The Keenum and Haskins Show
The biggest news this week outside of the ongoing Trent Williams saga is the news that Colt McCoy is still not recovered from his injury and subsequent surgeries from December and the offseason. Expected to be fully cleared at the start of training camp, this derails McCoy’s opportunity to earn the starting job. That leaves Case Keenum and Dewayne Haskins to showcase themselves. Expect Keenum to start and play most of the first half, and Haskins to play the second half. Don’t be surprised if Haskins gets a drive with the starters.
Everyone Plays
Expect all healthy players to play tonight, including all of the projected starters. We know that Derrius Guice has not been cleared for contact and Shaun Dion Hamilton suffered a chest injury last week so he might be held out. The starters should play 2-3 series depending on how they go. The second string should finish the half and play into the third quarter. Those after that should finish the game. With limited time on the field, those bubble players are going to have to flash quickly. Expect the starters to come out and set an energetic tone.
Wide Receiver Battle
This is still the most intriguing roster battle on the team and for the success of the team maybe it’s most important. Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson, and rookie Terry McLaurin did not play last week. That would seem to indicate that those three are locks on the roster. I am definitely not subscribing to the theory that the team cuts Doctson, nothing is gained and he is having a terrific camp. That leaves three to four spots (I believe the team keeps seven receivers and two more on the practice squad,) for Trey Quinn, Cam Sims, Robert Davis, Brian Quick, Darvin Kidsy, Jehu Chesson, Kelvin Harmon, and Stephen Sims. Quinn is probably the most secure but after that, this is wide open. As always special teams can and will be a deciding factor.