Ron Rivera Presser: Liked what we saw from Alex Smith today, his movements were much more fluid

Washington's practice/injury report:

DNP
Thomas Davis
Antonio Gibson
Terry McLaurin
Wes Schweitzer

LIMITED
Alex Smith
Kevin Pierre-Louis

FULL
Jonathan Allen
Tim Settle

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 31, 2020

We have a Thaddeus Moss, Ryan Anderson and Kelvin Harmon update: Rivera has seen their work ethic as they go through their rehab. He can see how hard they're working to come back, and that's what you want to see as a coach.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Rivera said Smith took a positive step today. Smith stretched with the team and took first team reps.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Ron Rivera said Alex Smith's practice level Friday could be influenced by whether they have to practice in the bubble because of rain. Rivera has noted that the turf can be especially problematic for players dealing with injuries like Alex's (and Terry McLaurin's ankle injury).

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 31, 2020

Coach Ron Rivera says Alex Smiths movement was much more fluid today. This is the most we have seen of him since the injury. Big test is how he feels tomorrow! #washingtonfootball

— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) December 31, 2020

Rivera like what he saw from Alex Smith today. Described his movement as more fluid. https://t.co/R1PkT40PDi

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 31, 2020

Ron Rivera says Antonio Gibson is fine. Didn’t practice today to “be smart with it.”

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) December 31, 2020

Antonio Gibson is receiving rest for the toe, because of what he’s shown this season. Ron Rivera said he’s done such a good job up to this point, that they feel comfortable giving him additional time to heal the toe

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 31, 2020

Rivera said Gibson has done a good job of learning the system. If he can't go on Sunday, the team had Lamar Miller taking some reps just in case.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Ron Rivera on Terry McLaurin (ankle): "You guys didn’t get a chance to see it because we didn’t want you to see it, but he looked good. He moved around. It was a positive step. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 31, 2020

Rivera said the biggest thing for teams playing night games is to keep the players fresh. He has some things allocated to doing that like stretches and band work. With restrictions still in place, the team will stretch in groups.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Ron Rivera finished his cancer treatment in October, but still fatigues easily. The 8:20 p.m. ET start for Sunday's game in Philly will force him to make some adjustments: pic.twitter.com/iQfpf8YlYR

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 31, 2020

Rivera said he feels good about the punt return situation. He did say, however, that Steven Sims' muffed punt should have been a fair catch. For the most part, though, he thinks Sims has been solid.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Ron Rivera said Brandon Scherff is Washington's Ed Block Courage Award winner.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 31, 2020

Ron Rivera on @realronalddarby: “He’s been probably our most consistent corner. ...There are some things you’d like him to be a little more disciplined with, but he’s got the cornerback mentality, he’s got good movement skills and he’s done a great job in our system for us.”

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 31, 2020

Rivera said the team understands the importance of this game, but he wants his players to go out, have fun and not play tight. Let the chips fall where they may, he said, and they'll move forward depending on the result.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

A loss on Sunday won't make 2020 a "blown opportunity" in Ron's mind. Three years down the line, he said, yes, he'd be pissed. But because no one expected Washington to be where they are, he's pleased with where the organization is heading regardless of Week 17's result

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 31, 2020

Ron Rivera is asked how he would view a loss on Sunday. His answer is interesting. He said if it was three years in, he might be disappointed that the team's playoff hopes came down to the last game of the season, but "right now I'm ecstatic about where we are."

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 31, 2020

Ron Rivera on how he would view the season if (gulp) Washington should lose Sunday and miss the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/LJWEMeAPZJ

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 31, 2020

New Year's Day will the one-year anniversary of Ron Rivera becoming Washington's head coach. There's no way he could have imagined 2020 would unfold the way it did, but he did see him getting a talented, young team. It's been a hell of a year, he said.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Ron Rivera agreed to the Washington job a year ago. Could he picture competing for the division in the first year? He was optimistic, but admits: "I couldn't imagine where we are today. ... Despite of everything, it's been a hell of a year, that's for sure."

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 31, 2020

Ron used to work at Jack in the Box as a kid, and on New Year's Eve, he'd get slammed at work at midnight as people came to eat after their parties. For that reason, he's not a huge NYE guy

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 31, 2020

Growing up, Ron Rivera worked New Years Eves at Jack in the Box in Seaside, CA, so he associates 12:01 with a rush of customers from parties. He doesn't plan to stay up tonight.

"I feel bad for my wife and daughter because I really truly am a stick-in-the-mud on New Year's Eve."

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) December 31, 2020

DC Jack Del Rio spoke to the media about what he has seen from Chase Young.

: https://t.co/jl1Y7VPabW pic.twitter.com/h8MOj12v4c

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) December 31, 2020

Del Rio said it's rare to have a young player like Young be named a captain so early in his career.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Del Rio has worked with several great pass rushers in his career. He said Montez Sweat and Young are a great pair, and he appreciates them for not only rushing the passer but extending the edge for the rest of the defense.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Del Rio said he admires the way Ryan Kerrigan has conducted himself this year and his entire career. He's been productive in his role, despite getting fewer snaps.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Del Rio likes the presence that Kamren Curl brings to the defense. He's calm and has a nose for the ball.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Del Rio said with Hurts, the read option is used more often in the Eagles' offense. The Eagles have always used those plays, but they are using more read tendencies.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 31, 2020

Chase Young on what the @WashingtonNFL pregame huddle will be like Sunday night in Philly:

"A lot of dogs. Hungry. We gotta empty the tank. Dogs hunt."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 31, 2020

Chase Young avoids making a prediction for Sunday night. He just wants to win.

"I don't care about the score. I don't care if we win by a safety. I just want a dub."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 31, 2020

Chase Young on his positive energy: That's just me being me. Guys choose to follow, they follow. I hope I can be a contagious energizer bunny every game. I'm just glad it is contagious and gets are getting energized. That's why I keep going."

— John Keim (@john_keim) December 31, 2020

Chase Young said running out to support Taylor Heiniecke was spontaneous. Just another example of the rook being an emotional leader for WFT: "That's just me being me. ... Guys choose to follow, they follow. I hope I can be a contagious energizer bunny every game."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 31, 2020

CB Ronald Darby said he loves playing for Ron Rivera. Mentioned his passion for football and the @WashingtonNFL organization and likes that he tells it like it is.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 31, 2020

I asked Ronald Darby if he thinks he's accomplished what he set out to do in 2020 — re-establish himself as a solid corner and maybe set himself up for a nice payday this offseason. He asked my my opinion. I said yes. We'll have to see if GMs agree

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 31, 2020

Rookie S Kam Curl said he has never been in a game of this magnitude at Arkansas. However, a lot of his teammates have been in these types of games, so he has been observing them and how they prepare.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 31, 2020

Kam Curl on his New Year's Eve plans: "Imma be at the house. Imma be chillen."

Same, @KCurl_2. Same.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 31, 2020