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Ron Rivera gave some Christmas Eve injury updates and it was a mixed bag. Alex Smith could end up being a game-time decision, but Adam Schefter said it would be challenging for him to play. Smith sounded optimistic he would play yesterday, and Rivera said he's the only one who knows how he feels and he needs to be honest about where he is physically with the team. Smith did some individual drills today, but Dwayne Haskins Jr. continues to get the 1st team snaps and is being prepared to start again on Sunday.
Terry McLaurin missed his 2nd day of practice due to an ankle injury he has been dealing with for over a month. Rivera said he would issue a game day designation for him when he was required to.
Antonio Gibson looks like he has a chance to return this week. He has been at practice both days this week, but is still listed as limited. Rivera said he had a good day and looked positive.
Cole Holcomb missed last week's game against the Seahawks with a concussion. He was a full participant in practice today, and Rivera expects him to be a full participant against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Rookie WR Antonio Gandy-Golden had another good day of practice. The team will see how he does tomorrow before deciding if they will activate him from IR this week.
Ron Rivera Presser
Injury updates:
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DNP
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 24, 2020
WR Terry McLaurin (ankle)
LB Thomas Davis (knee)
LIMITED
QB Alex Smith (calf)
RB Antonio Gibson (turf toe)
RT Morgan Moses (ankle)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (ankle)
G Wes Schweitzer (hip)
FULL
LB Cole Holcomb (concussion)
Terry McLaurin:
Rivera is a man of few words today - said he will provide an injury declaration on Terry McLaurin when he has to. That's not today. McLaurin is dealing with an ankle injury
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 24, 2020
QB situation:
Quarterback situation looks “jumbled up” says Coach Rivera. They could wait till Sunday am to make a decision on Alex Smith. #WashingtonFootball
— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) December 24, 2020
Alex Smith:
Regarding Alex Smith, Rivera said he had a good day and was promising, but he still wants to see how he feels in the morning. He did a lot of work today, including some in group activities.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Ron Rivera on Alex Smith - "He's the only one that knows how he feels"
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 24, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Ron Rivera says the practice plan is being crafted with the assumption Dwayne Haskins will start. pic.twitter.com/LWpdmASBC7
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) December 24, 2020
Rivera says the gameplan has been tailored around Dwayne Haskins' strengths. He hasn't ruled out Smith, but he says this about Haskins: "We're working him as if he's going to start."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 24, 2020
Antonio Gibson:
Antonio Gibson also had a good day and looked positive, according to Rivera. He participated in the reps the team had mapped out for him, but like Smith, his progress will depend upon how he feels in the morning.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Panthers players:
Ron Rivera is asked about Carolina's players, but he's rattling off numbers instead of names.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 24, 2020
Cole Holcomb:
Rivera said Cole Holcomb was a full participant. So said he expects him to be a full participant in the game.
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 24, 2020
Cole Holcomb was a full participant today and Rivera said he looked good. He took "the full brunt of what he should" in practice.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Mychal Kendricks:
Im expecting some improved LB play this week - Rivera says Cole Holcomb is ready to go and he thinks newly signed Mychal Kendricks will be able to help this weekend as well
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 24, 2020
"He had a really good day of practice yesterday -- we put a lot on him -- and he seemed to pick those things up. ...We're going to play him as much as needed."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 24, 2020
-- Ron Rivera on LB Mychal Kendricks, who @WashingtonNFL signed Monday.
Ron Rivera said newly signed LB Mychal Kendricks had a "really good" day of practice, and the team plans on "playing him as much as needed." Rivera expects Kendricks, who's been on a practice squad all season, to get winded quickly, so they'll be mindful of his reps.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) December 24, 2020
Antonio Gandy-Golden:
Antonio Gandy-Golden had another good day of practice, Rivera said, and they will look at how he practices for the rest of the week to see if they want to activate him.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Playing his former team:
Rivera said the importance and significance of Sunday's game as far as playoff implications supersedes any personal relationship he feels about playing the Panthers.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Focus on football:
Rivera said the players have been able to focus on football and "be where their feet are." The big thing about the players is that they want to learn, grow and be a better football team.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Jack Del Rio Presser
Jeremy Reaves:
Del Rio said Jeremy Reaves has done a nice job of stepping in and taking the opportunity.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Ron Rivera:
Jack Del Rio addressing the media now. Says he and Coach Rivera talk "all the time," and Rivera encourages him to let him know whenever he has any ideas or thoughts about certain situations.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 24, 2020
Teddy Bridgewater:
Del Rio said he doesn't really compare QBs and offenses to those he has played earlier in the season. That goes the same for Teddy Bridgewater, who has done a good job of leading the Panthers' offense, he said.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Jack Del Rio highlighted Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater's accuracy and decisiveness. Also pointed out their "three really good wideouts" (D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel and Robby Anderson).
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 24, 2020
"They've got a good, young squad."
Consistency:
One of Del Rio's main talking points with the players is to maintain consistency. He preached that before the season and is still doing it now. They're making progress in that, but there is still a ways to go.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Trust:
Jack Del Rio says of the defense: "We have developed trust."
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 24, 2020
Kamren Curl:
Del Rio said Kamren Curl has played well at multiple positions responded to the changes. They expect him to continue to do so, regardless of where he plays.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Cole Holcomb:
Jack Del Rio on the potential return of LB Cole Holcomb: "Cole's had a great impact for us this year. He's a good football player. He's a young, developing linebacker" who has shown significant improvement.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 24, 2020
Added that getting Holcomb back is a "big plus" for the defense.
Khaleke Hudson:
Jack Del Rio highlighted fifth-round rookie Khaleke Hudson for being a player who was forced to step into a bigger role and handled it well.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 24, 2020
Jack Del Rio was pleased with how Khaleke Hudson stepped in last week after getting limited practice reps and having no real defensive experience before the Seahawks matchup
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 24, 2020
Carolina Panthers:
Even though the Panthers out of the playoffs, Del Rio expects them to give their best. He's going to stress to the players to be prepared for that. Del Rio also previously mentioned the Panthers have a "good, young squad."
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 24, 2020
Fast and aggressive:
Jack Del Rio: "I'm looking for our defense to play really fast and really aggressive."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 24, 2020
Logan Thomas
Thankful:
Logan Thomas and his wife had a conversation recently about how thankful he is with how 2020 is going. He had 13 catches last Sunday and 16 all of last season. He's thriving no matter which QB is under center too
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 24, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Logan Thomas said of Dwayne Haskins: "For me I want him to go in and do his job the right way and get a W this week. Get it done and if we do that all that will be washed down the drain."
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 24, 2020
Chase Young
Pro Bowl:
Chase Young on getting a Pro Bowl berth: "It's crazy and an unbelievable when announced."
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 24, 2020
Chase Young on his first Pro Bowl berth: "It's definitely an honor. I'm grateful ... It's an unbelievable feeling."
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 24, 2020
Holiday gifts for the team:
Chase Young bought the entire team Beats headphones for the holidays. Not just the D-line. Not just the defense. The entire team
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 24, 2020
Playoffs:
Young: "We definitely have our eyes on the playoffs." But to get that he realizes they have to stay focused.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 24, 2020
Asked Chase Young about what it would mean for the team to make the playoffs the same week he gets his Pro Bowl nod, and he said it would mean everything.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 24, 2020
Ans about possibly beating Carolina, Rivera’s old team to do it?
“Who wouldn’t want to be their old team?”
Ron Rivera:
Chase Young said watching Ron Rivera at practice on days the coach underwent cancer treatments provided plenty of motivation this year. "You look in the mirror and ask 'why can't I practice hard today?"
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 24, 2020
Mercedes-Benz commercial:
Chase Young on his car commercial shot during the offseason: "You know, try to get a little big time. Get a little fancy." https://t.co/0iU10zpfCH
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 24, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Chase Young on Dwayne Haskins: "I feel like he's responded well in practice. He's still practicing real good, still focused. We're just trying to keep supporting Dwayne, and I feel like that's all we can do as teammates."
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 24, 2020