Ron Rivera Presser: “We have to make plays when we have opportunities.”

#WASvsDAL Injury Report:

DNP: Dustin Hopkins

LIMITED: Deshazor Everett, Terry McLaurin, Cornelius Lucas and Ryan Anderson

FULL: Antonio Gibson, Danny Johnson, Dontrelle Inman and Jared Norris

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Today's practice report:
DNP: PK Dustin Hopkins (groin)
Limited: WR Terry McLaurin (ankle); DE Ryan Anderson (knee), S Deshazor Everett (ankle) and OT Cornelius Lucas (ankle).
Full: RB Antonio Gibson, CB Danny Johnson, WR Dontrelle Inman, LB Jared Norris.

— John Keim (@john_keim) November 24, 2020

Ron Rivera begins his news conference by saying "thoughts and prayers" are with Markus Paul, the Dallas strength coach who he said fell ill with an apparent heart attack today.

Paul and Rivera played together with the Chicago Bears in the late 80s.

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) November 24, 2020

Ron Rivera on Dallas S&C coach Markus Paul, who is in the hospital; former Bears teammate: "thoughts and prayers go out for Markus and his family."
Says: "Markus was a very smart football player. Good size; good range; good athleticism; physical player. Just a good person."

— John Keim (@john_keim) November 24, 2020

Head coach Ron Rivera said he watched "Project 11," the documentary about Alex Smith's injury and subsequent recovery.

"It's an amazing comeback story, it truly is. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Ron Rivera was surprised to hear that Alex Smith has been called "Captain Checkdown" for his perceived passing tendencies. Rivera sees Smith as a QB who likes to go downfield, and he has seen that in practice and in the games.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Ron Rivera says that he's never heard the nickname "captain checkdown" for Alex Smith. He smiled through his mask. But says Smith can — and does — throw the deep ball well. He adds willing to let the ball go plays to Smith's savviness.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 24, 2020

Rivera credits OL coach John Matsko and asst. OL coach Travelle Wharton with managing a unit that's dealt with a lot of injuries and moving parts. Despite these factors, the group has been sufficient.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Brandon Scherff has a "huge impact" on what Washington does along the offensive, Rivera said. The o-line played very well against the Bengals.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 24, 2020

Rivera said rookie RB Antonio Gibson has a "knack for the goal line." His size, strength and power help Gibson finish off drives with touchdowns.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Just got the lowdown on Rivera's Thanksgiving habits. His favorite meal is "pretty much anything" his wife makes." Called her a tremendous cook. He goes 1 plate at a time but usually has 2 plates total. Would be 3 if not for "saving room for the pumpkin pie."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Rivera has a very simple answer to what his team needs to do to start games faster: "We have to make plays when we have opportunities."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Ron Rivera on how Washington could tweak plans to avoid these constant slow starts: "Put the ball into the end zone as an offense, that to me is really the biggest deal. ... I mean, I could bring a sledgehammer and smash pumpkins..." https://t.co/UOZqlo0LAz

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 24, 2020

Asked Terry McLaurin about his contested-catch ability. We've seen him go up over/through defenders for a lot of passes since his arrival. He said it was actually a weakness for him at OSU, and he designed some drills for himself to make sure he improved in the NFL

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) November 24, 2020

While @WashingtonNFL is in the thick of the NFC East race, Smith wants the team to put all of its focus on the Cowboys.

"A lot on the line, and I don't think we need to look past that at all."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Alex Smith said he decided to participate in "Project 11," the documentary about his recovery, when he was still in the hospital. He acknowledged documenting it normally isn't "his style," but thought it would be a good idea for himself/others.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 24, 2020

Smith said his mind rarely wonders to what comes after the 2020 season. And if it does, either he or his wife snaps him back to the present knowing how important it is to live in the moment.

"There will be plenty of time to think about that stuff down the line."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Alex Smith was asked by @JPFinlayNBCS to describe what he thinks about playing with Terry McLaurin. Alex said it's hard to come up with enough adjectives for Terry, but did go on to use the word "special" six times

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) November 24, 2020

Smith on WR Terry McLaurin: "Really, really special player, special teammate, and we're lucky to have him."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Unsurprisingly, Alex Smith just methodically broke down his Thanksgiving eating habits.

Also said he was more of a ham guy than a turkey guy. Preach, brotha.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Chase Young talks about some of his favorite Thanksgiving dishes and then adds "there's a lot of stuff that I could go to, but I'm going to crush it all."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 24, 2020

Chase Young: "I was never really much of a turkey guy on Thanksgiving."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 24, 2020

Turkey or ham for Thanksgiving? Nah, says @youngchase907. He goes chicken. As for what else he attacks on the menu, "I'm gonna crush it all."

Respect.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 24, 2020

Chase Young's rushes have improved the last few weeks. He says, "the last game i really felt my body was at its best health-wise. I feel a lot looser. That's the biggest change for me. I had confidence I can bend just in my body."
Had groin/hip issues since camp opened.

— John Keim (@john_keim) November 24, 2020