Matthew Paras

Unseld sets tone with defense-heavy first day of Wizards camp

Wes Unseld Jr. said he doesn't want to be known solely as a defensive coach. The Washington Wizards hired him, after all, to lead and win games.

September 28, 2021

Beal unvaccinated ahead of Wizards season: ‘It’s a fine line’

Beal said Monday that he's unvaccinated, repeating often-heard arguments to justify his decision to avoid the shots. The three-time All-Star's comments came during the Wizards' media day, with training camp set to begin Tuesday. The NBA season begins Oct. 19, with the Wizards set to tip off a day later against the Toronto Raptors.

September 27, 2021

Washington’s defensive line not living up to hype through three games

Sunday's beatdown marked another underwhelming performance for a position group that was supposed to be the strength of Washington's team. This is a front four, after all, with four first-rounders. Just one of those four is older than 25.

September 27, 2021

Heinicke learns hard lessons in first road start

Taylor Heinicke was hardly the main problem for Washington -- the defense gave up 43 points, after all -- but coach Ron Rivera said the quarterback "pressed a little bit" and tried to force the ball into contested windows that led to the turnovers. Sunday marked the first road start of the 2015 undrafted free agent's career.

September 26, 2021

Allen shows what Washington is missing (and not just at quarterback)

It wasn't just that starter Taylor Heinicke (212 yards for two touchdowns and two picks) underperformed and struggled following his Week 2 heroics over the New York Giants. What was most jarring about Washington's performance Sunday was the defense's inability to match up against Buffalo's Josh Allen. After facing mostly back-ups last year, Washington's defense is getting carved up this season by the league's better signal-callers.

September 26, 2021

Washington’s defense has no answer for Allen, Bills in one-sided loss

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- If Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills was truly a "measuring stick" for the Washington Football Game, as coach Ron Rivera suggested it would be for his team, then Rivera might need more than one stick.

September 26, 2021

Rivals Rivera, McDermott share bond, common philosophy

Sunday will mark the second faceoff between Ron Rivera and Sean McDermott -- a battle of mentor versus mentee -- but this time, the circumstances are much different.

September 23, 2021

‘It’s all fixable’: Washington not panicking over defensive mistakes

Washington's defense has allowed two opening-drive touchdowns in two games -- just one of the many areas that the unit has struggled to begin the season. As Washington prepares for Sunday's matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the team is statistically worse in practically every category from a year ago. Total yards? The team has gone from second to 25th. Points per game? Fourth to 16th.

September 22, 2021

Heinicke still can’t get endorsement from Heineken: ‘Might just start calling out Bud Light’

With no game to play Sunday, Taylor Heinicke sat back and watched this past weekend's slate of games as a normal fan would. The Washington quarterback said he relaxed and drank a few beers. One brand, to be precise. "A couple of Heinekens," Heinicke said. Despite the name drop, Heinicke said he still doesn't have an endorsement deal with the beer company -- even with his best efforts.

September 21, 2021

Bills provide model for Washington’s rebuild

Sean McDermott's success in Buffalo is why Ron Rivera called the Bills a "measuring stick" for Washington when the two teams face off Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium. It's easy to see why.

September 21, 2021

Aaron Jones recovers chain with dad’s ashes after four-touchdown game

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones said Tuesday he has recovered the chain containing his father's ashes that he lost during his four-touchdown performance on "Monday Night Football" against the Detroit Lions.

September 21, 2021

Play nice, or else: Taunting calls skyrocket in NFL

There were eight taunting penalties on Sunday. There were just 10 called all of last year.

September 20, 2021

Deshaun Watson to be inactive Thursday despite Tyrod Taylor’s injury

Houston Texans coach David Culley said Monday that quarterback Deshaun Watson would still be inactive for Thursday's upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers, despite starter Tyrod Taylor dealing with a hamstring injury.

September 20, 2021

Lamar Jackson: Ravens got ‘monkey off our back’ with Chiefs win

The victory marked the first time in Lamar Jackson's four-year career that the Ravens had beat the Chiefs. Kansas City was previously 3-0 against Baltimore with Jackson.

September 20, 2021

Heinicke, Fitzpatrick and Washington’s next quarterback dilemma

Basking in the glow of a dramatic 30-29 win over the New York Giants on Thursday, Taylor Heinicke was asked by Hall of Famer Michael Irvin if -- after that performance -- he thought he deserved to be Washington's starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Heinicke, filling in for an injured Ryan Fitzpatrick, didn't hesitate.

September 19, 2021

Taylor Heinicke provides answers in ‘fortunate’ win over Giants

Thursday wasn't pretty for the Burgundy and Gold. Coach Ron Rivera said the team was "fortunate" to get a win. The defense, for a second straight outing, had far too many breakdowns and penalties. Taylor Heinicke, the team's starting quarterback in place of an injured Ryan Fitzpatrick, threw a bone-headed, almost-unfathomable interception with less than three minutes left backed up inside the 20.

September 17, 2021

Heinicke, Hopkins bounce back from miscues to give Washington a wild win over the Giants

After Heinicke gave up a late fourth-quarter interception, the Giants settled for a field goal -- leaving Heinicke time to lead a drive that set up a game-winning 43-yard field goal as Washington pulled out a 30-29 victory over its NFC East rival.

September 16, 2021

Fitzpatrick won’t undergo surgery for hip injury: reports

Washington quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick won't undergo surgery for his hip injury after receiving a variety of medical opinions, according to multiple reports.

September 16, 2021

For now, everybody is chasing the surprising Eagles

While Washington and New York battled it out in primetime, let's take a moment to look at the rest of the division heading into the weekend and try to answer some of the biggest questions surrounding the Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys:

September 16, 2021

Gibson ‘ready to handle’ increased workload

Antonio Gibson is still learning the ins and outs of running back after primarily playing wide receiver in college. Last year, Gibson enjoyed a breakout campaign as a rookie -- emerging as Washington's leading rusher, one whose role expanded as the season went on.

September 15, 2021