The Washington Redskins began their final session of organized team activities this week and will continue their offseason training program with mandatory minicamp next week. Following a short break, the Redskins will return to Richmond, Va., for the start of training camp on July 27, with their first practice scheduled the following day.
After missing the first two sessions of voluntary workouts, veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson joined his teammates this week. Jackson also missed a portion of OTAs last season, so his absence was hardly a surprise. The only opinion that matters is of those on the team and they did not seem overly concerned. Coach Jay Gruden, quarterback Kirk Cousins and others have echoed the same sentiment: A player with as much experience as Jackson knows the best preparation for himself and will return ready to work.
Wednesday’s session, which is open to the media, will begin at 11:30 a.m. Here are three things that stand out from the last two weeks:
** Wide receiver Josh Doctson has been limited so far because of two separate foot injuries. The Redskins are being cautious with the first-round pick and it will be interesting to see how much action he gets tomorrow. OTAs are valuable especially for rookies trying to catch up to speed on a new scheme, but Gruden said the team is not concerned and that they can get Doctson the mental reps elsewhere.
** The Redskins are pleased with the depth on the interior of the offensive line and will keep tinkering with the left guard and center position until they find the right fit. As it stands currently, veteran center Kory Lichtensteiger is taking reps as the starter. Left guard Spencer Long is also learning the center position to ensure depth at the position to complement Austin Reiter, who spent 2015 on the practice squad. Last season, Lichtensteiger missed 11 games with a nerve injury and returned for the playoffs, but the team got inconsistent play from guard Josh LeRibeus in Lichtensteiger’s absence.
Long, entering his third season, started 13 regular-season games at left guard after Shawn Lauvao sustained a season-ending ankle fracture in Week 3. Lauvao underwent five foot surgeries in the offseason, but is expected to compete in training camp for the starting job.
“Shawn Lauvao is going to be healthy here shortly I hope and I think that will be a great competition,” Gruden said. “You know, Shawn was playing at a very high level before he got injured, so I’m not going to pencil in anybody as a starter right now. I want to make sure Shawn gets healthy first. I really like his ability but I love the way Spencer came on at the end of the year. It’s good to have two good guys at that position.”
** The secondary is also a work in progress. Right now, DeAngelo Hall and David Bruton are penciled in as the starting safeties, but the team is working in Will Blackmon, who is also transitioning from cornerback to safety. Hall made the switch last year after returning from a toe injury. Duke Ihenacho, who broke his left wrist in the first game last season, will also compete for playing time. Cornerback Josh Norman has been fun to watch thus far, despite the absence of contact during OTAs. Cornerback Quinton Dunbar continues to sharpen his skills after transitioning from wide receiver in his rookie season and second-year corner Dashaun Phillips got increased reps last week.
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