/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68549792/usa_today_14779830.0.jpg)
Ron Rivera Presser
Injury updates:
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22185987/20201220_042252.jpg)
Alex Smith:
QB Alex Smith (calf strain) has been ruled out for Sunday against Seattle, per team.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) December 18, 2020
Dwayne Haskins will start.
Ron Rivera on ruling out Alex Smith for Sunday's game:
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 18, 2020
"He went through some of the drills and said, 'I still feel it.' There was still some tightness, so we decided not to push it."
Backup QB:
Rivera will not name a backup QB. I expect the team will call up Taylor Heinicke from the practice squad Saturday afternoon.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 18, 2020
Ron Rivera declined to name Washington's backup QB for Sunday — it'll be between Taylor Heinicke and Steven Montez — but he did say this about Heinicke, who signed to the practice squad 10 days ago: pic.twitter.com/IcFfXBmZ28
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 18, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Rivera says Washington has tailored a specific game plan to Dwayne Haskins strengths for Sunday against Seattle.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 18, 2020
Next man up mentality pic.twitter.com/6zPqiPGqud
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) December 18, 2020
Ron Rivera said that the QB situation, just like every other position, is a next-man up mentality. Rivera said the team has faith in Dwayne Haskins and his ability to excel Sunday.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 18, 2020
Antonio Gibson:
On Antonio Gibson (toe), Rivera said he looked decent, but he isn't where they need him. Listed as "Doubtful" this week.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 18, 2020
Cole Holcomb/Kevin Pierre-Louis:
LB Cole Holcomb is in the concussion protocol and will not play on Sunday either, per team.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) December 18, 2020
Kevin Pierre Louis and Cole Holcomb are also out. Holcomb has a concussion.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 18, 2020
Nate Kaczor Presser
Jeremy Reaves
Ron Rivera:
Jeremy Reaves is addressing the media. Ron Rivera's mentality has always been the next man up, and that's the same attitude Reaves has with being ready for Sunday. He appreciates Rivera for giving him a chance.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 18, 2020
COVID-19 year:
Reaves said he could list a lot of things that are different this year, but how he and the team goes throughout the day has obviously been completely different with the limited access to the facility. He says the team has still been able to bond throughout all that.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 18, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Reaves said Dwayne Haskins has matured over the past two months. He's seen Haskins approach his situation as an opportunity to get better.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 18, 2020
Kamren Curl:
When asked about Kamren Curl, Reaves said "That's my guy!" They went through all the reps together in training camp, and they move well together.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 18, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr. Presser
Starting Sunday:
Dwayne Haskins is addressing the media now. He said he's grateful of the opportunity to get the start this weekend. Dwayne received all of the starting reps in practice this week.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 18, 2020
Haskins said he's excited to be back out on the field playing ball again. He's not worried about the implications after this game. A chance is a chance, he said, and he looking forward to taking advantage of his opportunity.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 18, 2020
Growth:
Dwayne Haskins: "The biggest thing I wanted to do with this whole thing was come out the other side stronger. ... I'm looking forward to just playing."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 18, 2020
Be prepared:
Haskins said the biggest thing this week was being prepared with Alex Smith's status unknown throughout the week.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 18, 2020
2nd chance:
Dwayne Haskins said he isn’t concerned about whether this is a second chance. “A chance is a chance. ... Life is hard. So what? Get over it.”
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 18, 2020
Haskins said he's excited to be back out on the field playing ball again. He's not worried about the implications after this game. A chance is a chance, he said, and he looking forward to taking advantage of his opportunity.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 18, 2020
Dwayne Haskins admitted it was "unfortunate" that everything happened like it did, but he is not dwelling on it.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 18, 2020
"Life is hard, so what? Get over it." Best foot forward, so that's what I'm doing."
Competitive Edge:
Dwayne Haskins: "I like pressure. If you're a quarterback and don't have any competitive edge to you then you shouldn't be playing QB."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 18, 2020
Calmer:
Asked what’s different between now and September, Haskins says he feels much calmer now. Not trying to force big plays and prove what he can do.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 18, 2020
Spiritual warfare:
QB Dwayne Haskins said he's called his father and his pastor this week and prayed for success against Seattle. He called it "a little bit of spiritual warfare."
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) December 18, 2020
Alex Smith:
Dwayne Haskins spoke to the media about what he has learned from Alex Smith.
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) December 18, 2020
: https://t.co/E7DVPIiP6w pic.twitter.com/KoQUj8Gx1m
Haskins said he’s learned so much from Alex Smith that he can’t just pinpoint one thing. He says being honest with yourself and taking what’s there are keys. Trying to match Smith’s work ethic too.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 18, 2020
Ron Rivera:
Dwayne Haskins says Ron Rivera does a great job of believing in his players and he “wants to make coach proud.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 18, 2020
Practice reps:
Dwayne Haskins thought the practice reps he received this week "definitely helped" with his preparation for Sunday. He received all of the first-team reps with Alex Smith sidelined.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 18, 2020
Offensive game plan:
Dwayne Haskins on @WashingtonNFL tailoring its offensive game plan to his skillset:
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 18, 2020
"What we've done so far looks pretty good, so I'm excited and looking forward to just getting out there and playing ball again, man."