Todd Dybas

Washington Wizards Otto Porter trying to gain confidence while around Paul Pierce

Otto Porter has been around Pierce for about two weeks. The former Celtics captain is a notorious and relentless trash-talker. He also has a set of offensive skills that remain difficult to stop despite his 37th birthday being less than two weeks away. Combine those things, and players do not thrive around Pierce if they are mentally weak. The same goes for soft players in the NBA.

October 2, 2014

Stephen Strasburg to start Washington Nationals’ playoff opener Friday

Manager Matt Williams made the announcement Thursday, adding that Jordan Zimmermann would start Game 2 Saturday at Nationals Park and Doug Fister will pitch Game 3 on Monday in San Francisco.

October 2, 2014

Redskins’ tight ends could exploit shaky aspect of Seahawks’ vaunted defense

As long as Niles Paul and/or Jordan Reed are on the field Monday night, there's a good chance they'll find success against a Seattle defense that has struggled to contain opposing tight ends.

October 1, 2014

Paid in full by Wizards, Marcin Gortat will remain center of attention

For all the talk about guards John Wall and Bradley Beal — Beal anointed them the best backcourt in the league Monday — and Paul Pierce's arrival, much of the Wizards' effort to move past the Eastern Conference semifinals will lay with Gortat.

September 29, 2014

Washington Wizards hold media day with John Wall, Paul Pierce, Bradley Beal and others

Run through the car wash of cameras, live TV, reporter mobs and sideshow video, the Wizards players were pleased to be done with media day Monday.

September 29, 2014

Kirk Cousins will have to improve after ‘worrisome’ meltdown vs. Giants

He threw four interceptions Thursday night when he and the Redskins were undressed by the New York Giants on national television. He's thrown five in 114 pass attempts this season and 15 in 317 career NFL tosses.

September 28, 2014

Washington Redskins secondary dominated by New York Giants, tight end Larry Donnell

In their first week without cornerback and defensive captain DeAngelo Hall, the Redskins secondary was trampled. Bashaud Breeland started at cornerback in place of Hall, who is out for the year because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon. It did not go well for the rookie.

September 26, 2014

Washington Redskins offensive lineman Trent Williams leaves game

Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams injured his right knee early in the fourth quarter Thursday against the New York Giants.

September 25, 2014

As controversy swirls around NFL, it’s business as usual

The parking lots at FedEx filled continued to fill as the sun fell. Fans in jerseys — from Cooley to Kerrigan — managed barbecues and pulled on another layer to counter the stern breeze. Talk about Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson or Greg Hardy amid the pregame revelry and pomp was limited, at best.

September 25, 2014

Wizards Martell Webster will be at training camp Tuesday

There's no timetable for the return of Wizards swingman Martell Webster after offseason back surgery. But, he will be a limited participant in training camp next Tuesday.

September 24, 2014

Washington Wizards ready to build off last year’s success as they begin anew

It's not that Washington coach Randy Wittman wants to forget or discount last year. It's just, last year is not now, so it matters little. But it still matters. Understand?

September 24, 2014

Redskins no fans of short turnaround for Thursday night game

"Obviously this is a week that I would rather not have a Thursday night game," coach Jay Gruden said. "Probably any week would be a week I would rather not have a Thursday night game. It is what it is. Every team has got to do it one time and we are no different."

September 24, 2014

Kirk Cousins says the Redskins are still Robert Griffin III’s team

Smiling, per usual, Kirk Cousins stuck to his statements of the past. In his mind, the Redskins remain Robert Griffin III's team. Even after Cousins throws for 427 yards in his first full game taking over for Griffin.

September 23, 2014

DeSean Jackson plays his role in anticipated return to Philly

Like the week leading to the game, Sunday's bitter fight between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins became in large part about Jackson. His speed, injury, the fans' reaction and the still-murky story behind Jackson's release from the Eagles in the offseason forced him to be the headline.

September 21, 2014

Philadelphia Eagles beat Washington Redskins in wild game

Kirk Cousins threw for 427 yards, but it wasn't enough to help the Redskins past the league's top offense.

September 21, 2014

Redskins and Eagles have sideline fight

An already chippy game between division rivals took a violent turn Sunday when the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles ended up in a multiplayer fight that spilled onto the Washington sideline.

September 21, 2014

Washington Redskins’ DeAngelo Hall leaves game with Achilles injury

Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall left the game in the third quarter Sunday because of an Achilles injury. Hall was driven off the field on the cart and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

September 21, 2014

DeSean Jackson questionable for Sunday

Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson did more in practice Friday than earlier in the week, but remains questionable to play Sunday against his former team because of a shoulder injury.

September 19, 2014

Day off for regulars give Washington Nationals youngsters Souza, Taylor a chance for a night

Three young Nats -- Taylor, Souza and Treinen -- get the full September big league experience thanks to the veterans getting a break following Tuesday night's clinch of the NL East division.

September 17, 2014

Ryan Zimmerman status key question for Washington Nationals entering postseason

Hard decisions await manager Matt Williams. He said Wednesday that he expects Zimmerman to play "pretty regularly" when he returns from the disabled list. Again, Zimmerman will be an option in left field and at first and third base.

September 17, 2014