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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

Matthew Paras was a digital sports writer for the Washington Times.

Articles by Matthew Paras

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) rushes against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard) **FILE**

NFL preseason games’ value still debated after a year away

After a year away because of the pandemic, the preseason is back -- and so too is the long-running debate about its value. With the league expanding to 17 regular-season games, teams now only have to play three exhibition games instead of four. But that hasn't stopped others from continuing to ask: Are these games really worth it?

August 9, 2021
Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) catches a ball at the team's NFL football training camp practice in Ashburn, Va., Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Washington holds options — and flexibility — in secondary

Last year, Washington used a combination of Jimmy Moreland and Kamren Curl as its slot cornerback -- swapping the players depending on the matchup. Moreland would be matched up against speedy, smaller wide receivers, Curl against bigger, more physical tight ends. But now in training camp, Washington has experimented with another look: Top cornerback Kendall Fuller kicks inside while third-rounder Benjamin St-Juste lines up outside.

August 8, 2021
Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera smiles during an NFL football practice at FedEx Field, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Ron Rivera: ‘No timetable’ for Curtis Samuel to return

Samuel, 25, was placed on the reserve list July 29 -- but the team's marquee free agent addition has yet to practice in training camp as he's also been nursing a groin injury that kept him out of the team's mandatory minicamp in June. Rivera has said the team will be cautious with Samuel, who signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract in March.

August 8, 2021
Brooklyn Nets' Spencer Dinwiddie (8) looks to pass during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in New York. The Nets won 117-113. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Wizards acquire Spencer Dinwiddie in five-team deal

In a five-team deal, the Wizards acquired veteran Spencer Dinwiddie in a sign-and-a-trade, according to multiple reports -- days after the team sent Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and a first-round pick.

August 4, 2021
Washington Redskins fan Zema "Chief Zee" Williams cheers on his team before the NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) **FILE**

Washington bans headdresses, face paint at FedEx Field in new fan policies

The Washington Football Team introduced a new set of guidelines Wednesday for fans attending games at FedEx Field this upcoming season -- announcing face masks will be "recommended" for unvaccinated individuals, while banning fans from wearing American Indian-inspired headdresses and face paint.

August 4, 2021
Washington Football Team wide receiver Steven Sims (15) catches a pass during NFL football practice in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, July 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly) **FILE**

Sims changing perception in crowded wide receiver battle

After every practice, Steven Sims goes to the jugs machine for some extra work. Technically, the Washington wide receiver catches about 200 passes. But at some point, Sims loses count of the total. He stands there, shuffles his feet, uses his gloves to haul in the ball. Rinse repeat. He goes until a member of the equipment staff tells him he's reached the number.

August 4, 2021
Coach Ron Rivera talks to fans during the Washington Football Team's NFL training camp Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Dean Hoffmeyer)

WFT’s vaccination rate continues to climb

Washington coach Ron Rivera said he was pleased by the number of players who recently stepped forward to get the vaccine -- and it seems the percentages back him up.

August 3, 2021
Chase Young (99) waves to the crowd at the Washington Football Team's NFL training camp Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Dean Hoffmeyer)

Young, Sweat lead trash-talking, energized training camp

McLaurin's taunt isn't a sign of bad blood between teammates. Rather, that exchange has been the norm for a spirited training camp -- one that was particularly energized Tuesday, when the Burgundy-and-Gold put on pads for the first time. Coaches and players have tended to downplay the theatrics, but the verbal sparring has been a constant over the first week of practices.

August 3, 2021
Washington Football Team wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden (10) makes a catch before the start of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers and Washington Football Team, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) **FILE**

Antonio Gandy-Golden gets vaccine after initially holding out

Gandy-Golden said Monday that he recently became vaccinated, citing the team's information push and eagerness to relax protocols. Unvaccinated players have to follow stricter rules compared to vaccinated players, such as having to wear a mask inside the team facility at nearly all times and being unable to eat inside restaurants.

August 2, 2021
Washington Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick points while talking with Antonio Gibson during th team's NFL training camp Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Dean Hoffmeyer) **FILE**

Gibson’s next step? Get more involved in the passing game

Antonio Gibson trotted out of the huddle and lined up out wide, back to the position most natural for him. The 23-year-old may be Washington's starting running back now, but Gibson spent his time in high school and college as a wide receiver.

August 2, 2021
Washington Redskins defensive lineman Daron Payne (95) walks to the field at the start of the Redskins NFL football training camp in Richmond, Va., Thursday, July 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) **FILE**

Washington adds Daron Payne to COVID-19 reserve list

The Washington Football Team placed defensive tackle Daron Payne on the COVID-19 reserve list Sunday -- its seventh player to be put in the league's protocols. Payne's addition to the list follows Saturday's addition of guard Brandon Scherff and tackle David Sharpe.

August 1, 2021