Ron Rivera Presser: Taylor Heinicke will start if Alex Smith sits; Terry McLaurin has a high-ankle sprain

Head coach Ron Rivera is addressing the media now. Said the biggest disappointment was the missed opportunities. @WashingtonNFL had three red zone trips and did not score any touchdowns.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 28, 2020

Rivera said the team had several missed opportunities against the Panthers, which was the most disappointing aspect from Sunday. The turnovers and failing to score on drives led to another hole for the team to dig out of.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera, asked why he played Dwayne Haskins yesterday. pic.twitter.com/iIXYdCOxFM

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera thought Dwayne Haskins practiced well during the week, so there was nothing that led him to believe that he would not be able to handle starting against the Panthers.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 28, 2020

Where do you go from here with Dwayne Haskins?

Ron Rivera reiterates Haskins has talent, and he noted the QB hasn't had it easy here, but he pointed out it's about how you respond.

"Sometimes you have to go through some hard knocks. Sometimes you have to reach rock bottom.”

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) December 28, 2020

Rivera on Haskins: "Sometimes you have to go through some hard knocks. Sometimes you have to reach rock bottom before you can dig your way back out of it. Sometimes a change helps. But with Dwayne, it's, 'What have you learned?' ... That's the big thing with him."

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera is asked what now with Dwayne Haskins in Washington.

"Sometimes you have to reach rock bottom before you can dig your way back out of it. Sometime change helps. But with Dwayne, it's what have you learned?"

(@NickiJhabvala with the questions) pic.twitter.com/AWBWcoFJLb

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 28, 2020

Rivera called Taylor Heinicke's performance gutsy on Sunday, and he feels like he could do that in a full game if asked to do so. He showed what Rivera was hoping to see. The moment wasn't too big for him.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera on Taylor Heinicke's play: "I thought there are a lot of positives to it. ... I think he showed what I was hoping to see when he got his opportunity, that it wasn't too big."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 28, 2020

Rivera was asked if Steven Montez had a shot at being backup if Heinicke started. Montez is on the PS and has already been elevated twice, so they'd have to sign him to the 53 to call him up again.

Rivera said Montez's inexperience is a concern. But he didn't rule out anything: pic.twitter.com/xDogaCMfDH

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera, on what Alex Smith brings to the offense that it hasn't found elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/TENil8SCjF

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) December 28, 2020

What has Washington missed with Alex Smith being out of the lineup? "Just his consistency," Rivera said. He notes Smith's interceptions were early on, but has cleaned them up.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 28, 2020

Asked Ron where he and the WFT have most missed Alex Smith the past few weeks. He pointed to Alex's consistency, tempo management and protecting the ball. In a follow up, he also added that the way Smith distributes the ball to everyone really helps the offense move

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 28, 2020

Rivera on the difference with Alex Smith: "It's about controlling the game, managing the tempo, protecting the football. If you look at the games we won, you'll notice that our turnover ratio obviously is better ... and the ball has been consistently spread [to multiple WRs]."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera asked if he sees QB Alex Smith as the difference between this team winning and losing so far this season: "I do."

He said Smith's control, tempo, ability to protect the ball and target distribution to multiple WRs has been key.

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) December 28, 2020

Rivera on Alex Smith's progress: "He was very close last week. I thought he had an exceptional day on Friday, but it's always about how that person feels the next day and he felt it was still grabbing him a little bit. ... This week, I'm optimistic about the opportunity."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera said Taylor Heinicke will start if Alex Smith can't go Sunday in Philadelphia.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 28, 2020

Spotting teams big leads has been a theme for Washington this season. It's disappointing, Rivera said. He said it's not like the Panthers dominated drives, but big plays allowed Carolina to keep the chains moving, which is concerning to him and the other coaches.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera said that without Terry McLaurin, the Panthers were condensing their coverage, jumping underneath routes and not "truly honoring the vertical [routes]."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera said Terry McLaurin has a high ankle sprain. He wasn't along the bench area because they don't want him on his feet, so he watched from the booth. He's wearing a walking boot and doing as much treatment as he can to get ready.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 28, 2020

Rivera said if they can practice outside this week they hope to get a better look at where McLaurin stands. The practiced inside last week because of inclement weather and the turf can be tough on joint injuries.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 28, 2020

Rivera said Terry McLaurin has a high ankle sprain; in a walking boot. Obviously getting treatments. Usually those kind of sprains can last a while. Haven't been told the severity of the sprain... McLaurin has had an ankle issue, but Rivera said it stemmed from catch vs. Seattle

— John Keim (@john_keim) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera: "We got to get back to having a little bit of fun. The truth is we're playing with house money. Nobody expected us to be here. ... These guys deserve it."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 28, 2020

Rivera on Washington's game against the Eagles being flexed to Sunday night: we're on the stage.

Rivera also pointed out that when the spotlight was on the team (Dallas and Pittsburgh), it produced. "We're playing with house money," he said.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 28, 2020

Rivera thought Antonio Gibson played "excellent" against the Panthers

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 28, 2020

Rivera said he saw Antonio Gibson this morning. Said he didn't see much of a limp when he saw Gibson this morning. Says he's optimistic that he didn't do more to that toe.

— John Keim (@john_keim) December 28, 2020

Rivera did say there was a swing pass Gibson took where he spun, and he wondered to himself if he did that because he couldn’t really plant that foot in the turf.

But the team will see how he responds, and go from there

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 28, 2020

Ron Rivera on having to win in Philly: "There is no home-field advantage this year. That's the best part of it right now."

Said it's about going out and playing their game.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 28, 2020