Jay Gruden Redskins Presser/Injury Report: Paul Richardson having his knee evaluated

Jay Gruden talked to the media after practice today. The Redskins are down to only 3 players who didn't participate in practice. Troy Apke will likely miss another game with a hamstring that he reinjured. Jamison Crowder's foot is in a boot and he was seen using a device to scoot around the locker room. He is expected to miss a few weeks, and the team just announced they are signing WR Jehu Chesson from the practice squad again. WR Paul Richardson Jr. is being evaluated for a knee injury he is still dealing with.

Gruden hopes to get LG Shawn Lauvao back this week, but he will have to be able to practice wifh the team. He was limited today. Adrian Peterson was limited today, after resting yesterday, and said he feels much better this week. Brandon Scherff(knee) and Danny Johnson(forearm) were also limited today after sitting out practice yesterday.

Injury updates:

Paul Richardson Jr.:

Maurice Harris in the slot:

”How do I like Maurice Harris in the slot? I like Maurice Harris in the slot. That’s what Mo’s strength is, his ability to play all three spots and play it effectively. It is a different animal in there. It’s hard to just say, ‘Okay go play the slot this week,’ without practicing when you’re practicing all the way outside because the slots routes are different. He knows what to do but still, they’re different in how we run them. He had a couple issues last week but he’s going to clean them up. He’s a very smart guy, very diligent, hard worker and he’s fine in there.”

Is Harris playing multiple wide receiver positions in practice:

”No, he’s staying in the slot pretty much. We still have [Jamison] Crowder. [Josh] Doctson, he’s doing a good job. And [Michael] Floyd and [Brian] Quick are getting the lion’s share over there on the other side. But, we could also put Harris out there in base personnel packages, so we have a good group. And then the ability to move Jordan [Reed] around and Vernon [Davis] around also in some personnel groupings is important also.”

Shawn Lauvao:

Greg Manusky Presser

Improved run defense from last season:

”Well, I think the players of course. I think last year some of the guys were off the streets, we picked up late.

There is consistency right now with the guys that we’ve got playing up front and the linebackers are playing off the reads of the defensive line. We’ve just got to keep on improving and keep on getting better I think across the board.

But overall, the players, when you have those good players like Jonathan [Allen] and [Daron] Payne and Matt [Ioannidis] and stuff in there, without a club, it kind of helps out.”

Jonathan Allen's leadership role:

”I think it is true. Each and every year that player goes through the National Football League, they either lead the team or they just sit there and just watch idly. I think he’s one of those persons that wants to make sure that everything is right on the back end and the front end and he’s starting to be in that position to start leading our defense, which I’m looking forward to.”

Tackling Ezekiel Elliott:

”Yeah, I mean, a talented back. He’s done a great job of seeing the whole sightlines, vision; he’s got the burst to get through. Overall, one of the top… I think he’s [one of the] the leading rushers in the National Football League so it’s going to be a test for us to stop him and they know we are going to try and stop them and we know we have to try and stop them.”

Stacy McGee and Caleb Brantley:

”I think both guys, Stacy has got down in weight and is just coming off the injury that he had in the offseason. But from our standpoint, it was a big body guy that really showed up last year a decent amount of time on tape.

So, we are excited to get him back whenever we do get him back. From Caleb’s standpoint, a quick, physical type guy who has good juice. He’s strong at the point of attack, so we’re just kind of picking up the pace with him to get in there, and he started getting some reps today, which he looked good.”

Daron Payne defending Ezekiel Elliott:

”Oh it’s great. A big body guy that has juice and strength, you can throw in individual [one-on-one]. So, from our stand point, it’s a good offensive line that we are facing this week, along with a good running back, and hopefully up front we will do some good things on Sunday

Jamison Crowder: