The team is optimistic enough that Jones can play in the Steelers game that it kept just three running backs on the roster after Saturday’s initial cuts. Jones appeared in 13 games for the Redskins during his rookie season, rushing for 490 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 3.4 yards per carry. Washington hasn’t won season opener on Monday night since 1993.
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Matt Jones, RBJones is listed as questionable as he tries to return from his preseason shoulder injury.
Limited on Thursday during Washington’s practice were wide receiver Josh Doctson (Achilles) and defensive end Kendall Reyes (groin).
Jones is expected to practice fully later this week, which will give the team more clarity on his ability to play in the game.
That said, there are some players that will be particularly interesting to check out during this game.
Last season, the Redskins dealt with a rash of injuries and absences entering Week 1 of the regular season. He sustained a shoulder injury in their preseason game against the Jets and was forced to miss the end of the exhibition season as a result of the injury. “Having two is great, but I think every year every team should be striving to win it”.
And while the Washington defense ranked 28th overall previous year, and 25th against the pass, they added one of the best cornerbacks in the league, Josh Norman, in free agency and used three of their first four draft picks on defense.
Jones has been penciled in as their starting running back since they let Alfred Morris go to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. We’re going to need him Monday night and he knows that.
“For the coaches to make the decision they made, they saw something in him that he was doing well”. Bell will miss the first three games of this season due to suspension, but DeAngelo Williams filled in nicely for him past year, rushing for 900 yards and 11 touchdowns in basically 10 games. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed 68 percent of his passes a year ago, while wide receiver Antonio Brown caught 136 balls for 1,800 yards and 10 touchdowns. He participated in one-on-ones at the start of practice after sitting out during that period Wednesday. On the ground, Daryl Richardson rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown in 9 attempts while Fitzgerald Toussaint added 11 yards in seven attempts.
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“That’s the intent right now”, Washington coach Jay Gruden said of Jones playing against the Steelers. “He’s a legitimate starter. We’ve got issues with [Williams] also, because he is a very able runner”.
