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Ron Rivera has finished his cancer treatments, and is back roaming the practice fields. The Washington Football Team is coming off their Week 8 bye after beating the Dallas Cowboys.
An extra week off gave them time to heal up as they prepare for a rematch with the New York Giants on Sunday. The team announced this morning that WR Steven Sims Jr.(toe) returned to practice, starting his 21 day window to be activated from injured reserve. Sims was a full participant in practice today, a good sign for his availability this week.
WR Steven Sims Jr. is returning to practice today. He will remain on IR and this now activates the 21 day window for us to either add him to the 53-man roster or keep him on IR for the year. #WashingtonFootball
— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) November 4, 2020
Washington got a few other starters back in practice today, but they were all listed as limited. Cornelius Lucas practiced with the starters at left tackle while Geron Christian Sr did individual drills. Starting TE Logan Thomas also showed up on today's list with an ankle injury.
Terry McLaurin is Washington's best player on offense, and he has been showing more leadership in his 2nd year. The team unanimously voted him team captain today, filling the spot opened up by Landon Collins season-ending Achilles injury. Rivera said it was a well-earned honor, and McLaurin leads by example on in field.
Another player that will step up in Landon Collins absence that Rivera is very high on is rookie safety Kamren Curl. Coaches have praised his game since he was drafted, and that has turned into more and more playing time as the year has progressed. Rivera compared him to a young Kendall Fuller today, saying he is a smart, versatile player. Curl will man the strong safety spot now that Collins is out for the season.
Rivera doesn't anticipate any changes at QB right now. Kyle Allen has a great arm, and will continue to grow and develop while he remains the starter. Rivera appreciates how Dwayne Haskins Jr. has been working, and wants him to grow and develop too. He emphasized that both young QBs need to work on their ball security.
Press Conference: Ron RiveraHead Coach Ron Rivera spoke to the media
Posted by Washington Football Team on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Injury updates:
#NYGvsWAS Injury Report:
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 4, 2020
LIMITED: Geron Christian Sr. (knee), Isaiah Wright (shoulder), Montez Sweat (concussion), James Smith Williams (concussion) and Logan Thomas (ankle)
WR Steven Sims Jr. was a full participant in practice.
Returning WRs:
Rivera cracks a joke about having a number of receivers back for practice: "Holy smokes, where did these guys come from?"
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 4, 2020
"Veteran" WRs:
How tough has it been at WR for the WFT? Ron Rivera defined his "veteran" section of the group as guys who were here in training camp two months ago. Made me lol
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) November 4, 2020
Terry McLaurin:
Terry McLaurin has unanimously been voted a team captain. Surprised him after practice. With Landon Collins on IR, it opened up a spot.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 4, 2020
With Landon Collins on IR, Washington had an opening for a captain. Ron Rivera said that after practice players unanimously voted Terry McLaurin as a captain. "A very well-earned honor," Rivera said.
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 4, 2020
Rivera said the team is fired up about making McLaurin a team captain. He's leads by example, and his performance on the field has spoken volumes.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 4, 2020
Trade deadline:
Ron Rivera expands why the team wasn't active at the trade deadline: "Unless it was going to knock our socks off" they weren't going to be active.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 4, 2020
Scott Turner's playcalling:
Ron Rivera says Scott Turner has gotten "more and more comfortable" in finding a rhythm to his playcalling. "I've been very pleased with the rhythm Scott has had," he said.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 4, 2020
Rivera said the receivers will help Scott Turner with play calling in the future. It will allow Washington to open up the playbook and do what they really want to do.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 4, 2020
Isaiah Wright was at practice today as was Steven Sims. The team has 21 days to take Sims off IR.
Rhythm on offense:
"I've been really pleased with the rhythm Scotty's had."
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) November 5, 2020
I asked Ron Rivera for his evaluation of Scott Turner so far. Here's what he said about his OC pic.twitter.com/M2GitiVRzr
Ron Rivera says they've been able to get into a good rhythm recently on offense. Says running the ball helped a lot. @WSHFootballSI
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 4, 2020
Kamren Curl:
Rivera said Kamren Curl is a smart player who gives the team position flexibility. He even said Curl reminds him of a young Kendall Fuller.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 4, 2020
Ron Rivera loves him some Kam Curl. Feels he's very smart "Kam's a heck of a football player and can help us." @WSHFootballSI
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 4, 2020
Rivera said that Kam Curl will exclusively play strong safety with Landon Collins out.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 4, 2020
"Bright young man, he works hard at it, and I'm very pleased with his progress right now."
Compared Curl to a "young [Kendall] Fuller" because of his versatility.
Mid-season review:
Rivera on midpoint of season: "Defensively, we could have been better on 3rd downs, but overall very pleased with what we did defensively."
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) November 4, 2020
After evaluating all three phases of the team over the bye week, Rivera said the defense could do better on third downs. On offense, it comes down to protecting the ball. Rivera has been pleased with special teams, even though there have been some lapses.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 4, 2020
Fans at FedEx Field:
Rivera thinks it will be cool to have fans back at FedExField (roughly 3,000 of them) for the Giants game. We truly do miss them, he said.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 4, 2020
2nd half of the season:
Rivera's record is better in November and December than in September and October. That could be the case again this year with winnable games on the schedule. He said he hopes his players are continuing to develop later in the year.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 4, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Ron Rivera on Dwayne Haskins: This is about the growth of a young quarterback. pic.twitter.com/0rdcf5OP2K
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) November 4, 2020
Ron Rivera said he doesn't see "any chages right now" on the QB depth chart behind Kyle Allen, but said "I really appreciate the way [Dwayne's] been working."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 4, 2020
Rivera again cited Haskins' needed development as well as his ball security.
Rivera on QB Dwayne Haskins: "I really appreciate the way he's been working." Said that for him it's all about developing and growing.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 4, 2020
Kyle Allen:
Rivera wants Kyle Allen to continue to develop. He has a great arm, but he also needs to be better at protecting the football. It's all about continued growth.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 4, 2020
When asked about Kyle Allen potentially being the long-term solution, Rivera said it's all about continued growth. Rivera has seen Allen have success and he's seen Allen make mistakes, so it all depends on if he can continuing to make good decisions and help the team win games
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 4, 2020
New York Giants short week:
Rivera said the notion that teams coming off Monday Night Football are at a disadvantage is a little overrated. Giants played the Bucs tough on Monday.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 4, 2020