Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy (16) passes the ball under pressure from New York Jets defensive end Claude Pelon (66) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in Landover, Md. 2015 saw Bradshaw limited to just six games, but in 2014, the nine-year vet averaged 4.7 YPC and accounted for more than 700 total yards. The first defense eventually had answers for both drives, with Darrelle Revis’ end zone INT stopping the first and Leonard Williams’ third-down sack forcing a punt.
Advertisement
“You want to be more polished than you were in game one”, Bowles said. “We’re going to have more continuity and clean up some of the mistakes we made last week”.
“We’re taking it slow with him, too”, Gruden said. Matt Jones is powerful; punishing back that can be a three down back if needed. Chris Thompson can be a third-down back, but he has had his own durability issues and that leaves Washington with either Keith Marshall or Robert Kelley, two inexperienced runners. Forte has been hampered by a nagging hamstring injury, suffered before the beginning of camp, and has been limited to individual drills. Redskins fans should feel extremely confident with him as an insurance plan. Hackenberg has seen increased reps in recent days and made some very good throws at practice on Wednesday. “But I think he’ll be very close to being ready”. He was about three quarters speed. But, otherwise, Sudfield looked like he should, mediocre at best. “If he doesn’t have any setbacks tomorrow, then we’ll move forward”.
“I don’t have any expectations for him whatsoever”, Gruden said “I’m just trying to listen to what the trainers are telling me and how he’s feeling”.
Chris Thompson and seventh-round pick Keith Marshall are the next two backs on the depth chart, which would nearly certainly mean an addition to the group in the event Jones has to miss any serious time. It was the Jets’ first preseason safety since, well, last August 21 when then-rookie Leonard Williams took down Atlanta’s T.J. Yates for the deuce.
While plenty of attention will be paid to Petty and Smith, hopes will likely be highest for Hackenberg as the team gets its first look at this year’s second-round draft choice, who they’re hoping is the answer to their decades-long search for a franchise QB.
Look for Hackenberg to not just get on the field for the first time, but for the Jets to take an extensive look at how he does in live game action. DE Muhammad Wilkerson did not dress as he works back from a broken right leg suffered in the regular-season finale.
The Redskins return to preseason action next Friday against the Buffalo Bills.
Advertisement
“There was a TV timeout so we were in the huddle for a while so I said, ‘Hey listen guys, one play at a time”.
