Todd Dybas

Washington Nationals using lineup of backups after clinching NL East

The Nationals will put out a lineup of backups, from the mound to the outfield, Wednesday night. It will be the first break for the regulars at the end of the season, one likely needed after a night of imbibing large quantities of alcohol.

September 17, 2014

Washington Nationals NL East champions for 2nd time in 3 years

Ian Desmond hit a mammoth two-run homer and scored the Nationals' other run in a 3-0 win over the Braves Tuesday night that eliminated Atlanta from contention for the division title.

September 16, 2014

Drew Storen has supplanted Rafael Soriano in Washington Nationals’ bullpen

It's a battle of semantics occurring at an odd time of the season. In most situations, the team vying for the National League's best record is not also replacing its closer in September. But, that's where the Nationals find themselves.

September 16, 2014

First day in field goes well for Washington Nationals Ryan Zimmerman

The Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman had five at-bats and played three innings in the Instructional League Tuesday in Viera, Fla. According to manager Matt Williams, Zimmerman came out of the game feeling great.

September 16, 2014

Washington Nationals beat Braves, reduce magic number to two

A crisp Stephen Strasburg and four runs were enough to reduce the Nationals' magic number to two. They can win the National League East on Tuesday night against rival Atlanta.

September 15, 2014

Bryce Harper leaves game between Nationals and Braves

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper was replaced in the fourth inning Monday night in Atlanta by Nate Schierholtz.

September 15, 2014

Washington Nationals’ Denard Span heating up at opportune time for Nats

Each day, Span watches video of that night's starter, plus his at-bats from the night before. He said there is nothing magical about the times he righted things after the typical dips a player goes through during the season.

September 15, 2014

Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman to play field

The Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman will take the field Tuesday during rehabilitation work in Florida.

September 15, 2014

Robert Griffin III resolute in face of ‘excruciating’ injury

Griffin grotesquely dislocated his left ankle Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars and is out for a yet-to-be determined amount of time. An MRI and other tests will be taken Monday. Afterward, Griffin will know his fate for the remainder of the season. It appears bleak.

September 14, 2014

Redskins receiver DeSean Jackson hurt

Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson landed on his left shoulder with 6:46 remaining in the first quarter -- just minutes after quarterback Robert Griffin III was injured and carted off the field -- knocking him out of the game.

September 14, 2014

Georgetown breaks ground on John R. Thomspon Jr. athletics facility

With many of his famous former players in the front row, John Thompson Jr. talked about academics, race, Georgetown and life during the ceremonial groundbreaking for the John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center.

September 12, 2014

Under Gus Bradley, Jaguars’ rebuilding has Seattle flavor

They run much of the same defensive scheme Bradley had honed with coach Pete Carroll in Seattle. They signed two Seahawks veterans, Red Bryant and Chris Clemons, in the offseason.

September 11, 2014

Redskins’ Tracy Porter and Jordan Reed doubtful for Sunday

The Redskins are also trying to manage a hit to their depth at nose tackle.

September 11, 2014

Robert Griffin III finds life as a pocket passer a work in progress

Griffin's first game of his personal repackaging was a mixed bag, much of which had to do with the Texans' pressure.

September 10, 2014

Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo limited at practice

Linebacker Brian Orakpo, strong safety Duke Ihenacho and left tackle Trent Williams were among the Redskins limited at practice Wednesday.

September 10, 2014

Ian Desmond leaves Washington Nationals game with back stiffness

Ian Desmond left the Nationals' 6-4 win against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning Tuesday. Neither Desmond nor manager Matt Williams were overly concerned.

September 9, 2014

Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman closer to returning from hamstring injury

Ryan Zimmerman has not played since tearing his right hamstring in Colorado on July 22. Step by step, as the calendar creeps closer to the end of the season, Zimmerman tries to comeback.

September 9, 2014

J.J. Watt dominates Redskins in all facets of season-opening win

His final statistical line was swollen: a sack, two tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, a pass defensed, a blocked extra point and a fumble recovery. No word on how long he'll remain in Robert Griffin III's bad dreams.

September 7, 2014

Redskins notes: Special teams miscues costly in loss

A year after special teams was a front-to-back mess for the Redskins, Sunday's opener had its issues. Namely, a blocked punt that produced one of two Houston touchdowns on the day.

September 7, 2014