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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

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

Articles by Matthew Paras

Washington Redskins defensive back Troy Apke (30) celebrates his interception with defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins (78) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) **FILE**

Washington’s position battles come into focus during padded practices

Two days into Washington's padded practices, coach Ron Rivera has a warning for those trying to project starting lineups and 53-man rosters. It's still early. Washington has had some surprises at pivotal positions -- leaving others to wonder just what's real and what's not.

August 19, 2020
In this Nov. 24, 2019, file photo, Washington Redskins running back Derrius Guice (29) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Landover, Md. The Washington Football Team has released Guice after he was charged in a domestic violence incident. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally) ** FILE **

Derrius Guice accused of rape while at LSU: Report

Two former female students at Louisiana State University accused former Washington running back Derrius Guice of rape when the 23-year-old was a freshman in 2016, according to USA Today.

August 19, 2020
Signs for the Washington Redskins are displayed outside FedEx Field in Landover, Md., Monday, July 13, 2020. The Washington NFL franchise announced Monday that it will drop the "Redskins" name and Indian head logo immediately, bowing to decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Jason Wright has big plans for Washington’s next stadium

Jason Wright isn't just tasked with leading Washington through a name change and overseeing a new business department in the wake of sexual harassment allegations that rocked the team's workplace. In fact, one of the biggest projects for the new Washington team president will be ushering in a new stadium for the franchise.

August 18, 2020
Washington quarterback Alex Smith (11) walks to practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Alex Smith looking like ‘wily veteran’ in return from injury

Alex Smith dropped back to pass, moved to his left and fired off a pass to wide receiver Cam Sims. It was a routine throw, but for the quarterback these days, nothing is routine. With every pass, all eyes are fixated on the 36-year-old as he looks to make a historic comeback from his horrific leg injury.

August 18, 2020
FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2011, file photo, Arizona Cardinals running back Jason Wright, center, talks to the media on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Washington Football Team has hired Jason Wright as team president. He’s the first Black person to hold this job in NFL history and at 38 becomes the youngest team president in the league. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Jason Wright got right answers from Dan Snyder

New Washington Football Team president Jason Wright says he's not worried about working for owner Dan Snyder, despite the franchise's recent history of burning through executives.

August 18, 2020
Redskins quarterback Alex Smith goes through physical therapy for his broken leg during ESPN's "Project 11," a documentary that provides a behind-the-scenes look at Smith's gruesome 2018 injury. (Photo courtesy of ESPN)

Alex Smith: I haven’t found my limitations yet

Alex Smith doesn't blame anyone who watched the documentary about his horrific leg injury coming away with the impression the quarterback should never play football again. The ESPN special, after all, documented how close Smith was to losing his life due to an infection, how many surgeries it took to repair his leg and how difficult his life has been since his leg shattered in November 2018.

August 17, 2020
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, left, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes speak during a television interview after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

NFL rejoices over Alex Smith’s return

Alex Smith's return to practice Sunday triggered a flurry of emotions in and around the NFL. Twenty-one months after suffering a life-threatening leg injury, Smith was medically cleared for football activity for the first time. The consensus? His former teammates and coaches couldn't be happier.

August 16, 2020
FILE - Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, in a Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 file photo, in Landover, Md. Quarterback Alex Smith was activated Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, off the physically unable to perform list by Washington’s NFL team, the latest step in his remarkable recovery after his right leg was broken in two places during a game nearly two years ago. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivai, Files)

Alex Smith juices Washington quarterback competition

Fresh off being medically cleared for football activity, Alex Smith now returns from his life-threatening leg injury as Washington gears up for padded practices this week -- adding a fresh element of intrigue to the team's quarterback competition.

August 16, 2020
FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2019, file photo, Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Landover, Md. Smith needs to pass his physical with Washington doctors before being cleared for football activities. A team spokesman said Smith would take that physical Monday, July 27, 2020. Players are set to report to training camp Tuesday. Smith has not played since November 2018 when he broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Alex Smith medically cleared to practice with Washington

Alex Smith was activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list Sunday -- the latest step in the remarkable comeback for the Washington quarterback, 21 months after suffering a horrific, life-threatening leg injury.

August 16, 2020
Washington linebacker Reuben Foster stretches during a practice at the team's NFL football practice facility, in a Reuben Foster Monday, May 20, 2019 file photo, in Ashburn, Va.The Washington Football Team activated linebacker Reuben Foster off the physically unable to perform list Sunday, Aug.9, 2020. The team made the move days ahead of the start of on-field training camp workouts. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Reuben Foster wonders if he’ll ever be same after knee injury

As Washington's training camp takes place, Reuben Foster is trying to regain the form that made him one of the league's most promising prospects before his fall out with the 49ers. So far, his recovery remains a work in progress. After being cleared to practice this week, the linebacker admitted Friday that it was "nerve-wracking" to do so, spending his time focusing on his leg. Foster said he wonders if he'll ever be the same.

August 14, 2020
Washington Redskins linebacker Montez Sweat (90) is blocked by Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

Montez Sweat bulks up ahead of second season

Entering Year 2, Sweat focused this offseason on getting stronger. With Washington switching to a 4-3 defense, Sweat said he "bulked up" to 265 pounds after ending 2019 at 250. The 4-3 scheme tends to call for bigger linemen, and Sweat wants to show he can handle it. At Mississippi State, Sweat played in that defensive system and weighed 262 pounds.

August 13, 2020