Ron Rivera Presser: The players believe they can win every week

Washington's practice report:

DNP
RB Antonio Gibson (toe)
OT David Sharpe (knee)

LIMITED
LT Morgan Moses (groin)
RG Brandon Scherff (calf)

FULL
WR Terry McLaurin (ankle)
DE Ryan Anderson (knee)

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 10, 2020

Rivera on Antonio Gibson's turf toe: "It is concerning. ... The big toe, that's where the power and energy" comes from.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 10, 2020

Ron Rivera on Antonio Gibson's turf toe: "It is concerning, and we'll see how it plays out the next two days. ... We're hoping for the best. He had a couple of good days with a trainer, so we'll see how he is tomorrow."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 10, 2020

Rivera said the Panthers liked Montez Sweat, and it was between him and Brian Burns. The deciding factor came down to quickness. The growth since then has been tremendous.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Ron Rivera says that when he was in Carolina, their pick came down to Brian Burns and Montez Sweat, with the deciding factor being quickness. But Sweat is someone they really liked

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 10, 2020

In teams that make late season surges like Washington, Rivera said you see better performances late downs and goal line plays. Washington has executed well in both areas for the past three weeks.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Rivera said Ryan Vermillion gets to know players beyond just treating them. He wants to do his best at getting the players back on the field, and he tries to understand them to give them better medical help.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Ron Rivera said Antonio Gandy-Golden worked with the scout team and "looked great." He mentioned they'll probably have to wait another week to activate him since Washington is on a short week.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 10, 2020

Antonio Gandy-Golden was back at practice today. Rivera said the team wants to continue to monitor him, but he was pleased with the way Gandy-Golden looked while running some of the scout team assignments. The team has 21 days to activate him from IR.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Rivera learned something about managing success from John Madden: you can't just pick up from where you left off. Whatever they did the previous week doesn't guarantee a win the next week, so they have to keep all of their attention on improving.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Ron Rivera said he was a little bit concerned there might be a "lull" after coming off such a big win in Pittsburgh. That's why he gathered his players before practice today to pay extra attention to the little details and practice hard.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 10, 2020

Rivera said the team have players who possess a lot of talent, but they also have the belief they can win each week. The potential of making the playoffs are in front of them, and that's why Rivera thinks the coaches are getting the effort out of them.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Rivera said he was apprehensive at first about putting Alex Smith on the field, but he improved in each step. That gave him more confidence, but Smith's confidence in himself is what made him more comfortable in playing him.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Something to pay attention to on Sunday, per Ron: If Washington's defense is playing sideways, that ain't good. Said that's a strength of Kyle Shanahan's scheme. But if Washington is still attacking vertically, they can hold their own

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 10, 2020

Turner said the LT position is tremendously important as whoever is lined up at that spot blocks some of the best pass rushers in the game. It has had three players at that position (Chrisitian, Lucas and Moses) and Turner said all three have played well.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

If Gibson cannot play Sunday, Turner said the game plan will not change much. They'll work in a combination of Barber and McKissic, and Turner wants his players to step up. He believes in Barber and McKissic to play well.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Turner said Cam Sims has been consistent all year, even if he doesn't always get the numbers. There's more to the WR position than just getting yards and touchdowns, and Sims has taken advantage of his opportunities.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

The team recently signed Javon Leake, and Turner said he adds speed and quickness. He definitely has the skillset to function in Washington's offense.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Turner wouldn't use the term surprise when talking about Logan Thomas' production, but the more he's played, the better he's been. Turner thought he had the stats from Monday's game (nine receptions, 98 yards, TD), but they have also been able to develop him this season.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020

Linebacker Thomas Davis on similarities between Ron Rivera's early Carolina teams and this Washington team. pic.twitter.com/tN4p3AufEy

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) December 10, 2020

Davis adds that the coaches do not talk about the 2014 season in Carolina, but having played through it, Davis said he talks to his teammates about that campaign all the time since it's similar to this one. https://t.co/OZEsuamst2

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 10, 2020

Thomas Davis Sr. was with Ron Rivera during his 1st season in Carolina, so he saw Rivera come in and turn a franchise around pretty quickly. He's now seeing that with @WashingtonNFL

"The guys are really enjoying playing for Coach Rivera, and it's starting to show on the field."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 10, 2020

TE Logan Thomas said the biggest thing he's learned from Coach Rivera so far is to be present and take everything hour by hour & day by day. That's exactly what Rivera did while battling cancer, Thomas said, and that's what @WashingtonNFL has been doing this season.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 10, 2020

Jon Allen believes success is a part of growth, but he does not think a game like the Steelers' game was vindication that @WashingtonNFL has a top defense. He wants to see this unit become even more consistent.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 10, 2020

Thomas Davis Sr. and Jon Allen both said that Cole is the only one who can pull this off. https://t.co/FyApbcWrkh

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 10, 2020

"I think the production speaks for itself. They've been playing phenomenal."

-- Jon Allen on Chase Young/Montez Sweat

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 10, 2020

I got the chance to speak with Allen last year when he helped unveil an innovation lounge at The Bruce House in Northeast D.C. His desire to help underprivileged kids is so authentic and genuine. https://t.co/CdNr8GB3gq

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 10, 2020