Ron Rivera Presser: I’d like for the linebackers to play better and be more productive

Washington's injury report on Wed afternoon:

DNP
QB Kyle Allen (ankle)
WR Dontrelle Inman (hamstring)
LB Thomas Davis (not inj related)
RB Antonio Gibson (shoulder)

LP
K Dustin Hopkins (groin)
LT Geron Christian (knee)

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) November 11, 2020

Rivera said you always think about playing against a player you released like Adrian Peterson. When asked if he was nervous about playing Peterson, Rivera said "you're always worried about playing a future Hall of Famer."

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera on the QBs: "I'm comfortable with [Steven] Montez being the third guy if needed right now. ... Going forward, if need be, we might do something, but right now we're confident with the guys we have."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 11, 2020

Rivera said that right now, he feels comfortable with QB Steven Montez being the third-string QB if necessary. Montez is still on the practice squad, but Rivera likes how he has developed. "I think's it's gone very well. It's been kind of fun to watch him."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 11, 2020

Washington protected Steven Montez on the practice squad today. Rivera said it's been fun to watch Montez's development. He's smart and bright and followed Kyle Allen and Alex Smith around a lot, Rivera said, which he thinks has helped him.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 11, 2020

The point on the fastball is this: He throws with one speed. probably would have been better to say an 89 mph changeup and 90 mph fastball... but he wants to see more touch from him.

— John Keim (@john_keim) November 11, 2020

Rivera said he didn't think about Alex Smith getting hurt as much as he did against the Rams, but he said it'll probably always be in the back of his mind.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera - "I saw pretty much some good mobility," out of Alex Smith. Says he has to get rid of a few.

That one 3rd down late to J.D. showed me something. #WashingtonFootball @WSHFootballSI

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera said with Geron Christian still dealing with his knee injury, that Cornelius Lucas will continue to hold down the LT spot.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 11, 2020

Head Coach Ron Rivera spoke to the media about Bryce Love's return to practice.

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera was asked about Bryce Love's return to practice and if he sees a role for him: pic.twitter.com/2LbGiam24Y

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera says Bryce Love showed some good burst today and good hands.

Sees a role for him because he can run inside/outside & has good hands as a receiver. #WashingtonFootball @WSHFootballSI

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 11, 2020

Rivera on Bryce Love: You see the quickness is still there... saw the burst. Good hands out of the backfield... at Stanford, ran up inside and ran outside because of his quickness and speed... Be interesting to watch him develop and grow... Good to have him back on the field.

— John Keim (@john_keim) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera on Bryce Love back at practice: "You saw his quickness, saw his burst."

As for going forward once back on the 53, "You most certainly see a role for him." Noted Stanford ran him inside. Surprised he wasn't used more as a receiver there since "he has good hands."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera on Washington's linebackers: pic.twitter.com/bWvFbiPiWC

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera, a former LB, on his group - "Our linebacker are still feeling their way around. They've gotta get past that."

What do they need to do?

"Yeah they need to play better."

OK, then. #WashingtonFootball @WSHFootballSI

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera on franchise QB - Saw Cam Newton grow and develop, "kept seeing his growth & saw him do the things that it took."

Sounds like it's still a work issue/performance issue behind the scenes. #WashingtonFootball @WSHFootballSI

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 11, 2020

Rivera said the franchise QBs he's been around (Donovan McNabb, Philip Rivers, Cam Newton, etc.) always were trending upward and improving.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 11, 2020

Rivera on what needs see from franchise QB, went back to Cam Newton early days: always an upward trend; felt had the ability and what it took... Kept seeing his growth and things that it took [to improve].

— John Keim (@john_keim) November 11, 2020

When Rivera talks to other coaches of teams who Washington has played, the one thing all of them say is that the team's running backs are multidimensional with their ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 11, 2020

Rivera wants all veterans to know they are appreciated by the team. It's a very special day, Rivera said, and "this is a day we can never forget."

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera did do the V salute on his palm for his father, and wants the members of the armed services to know that they're appreciated for all they do.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 11, 2020

Ron Rivera on Thomas Davis' absence from practice (non-injury related) gave a confusing answer.

Mentioned it was cold & wintry today. Then followed up by saying they were inside.

Described it then as a veteran rest day.

I am really confused. @WSHFootballSI

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 11, 2020