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Washington Football Team Head Coach Ron Rivera began his treatment for Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and missed today’s practice. Rivera previously said that he would be receiving treatments 5 times a week for 7 weeks. Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio has already been tabbed to take over practices, and any other duties if Rivera is not available.
Today Head Coach Ron Rivera begins his treatment for Squamous Cell Carcinoma. For any part of practice he misses, Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio will take over. Prayers for coach and his family. @WashingtonNFL
— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) September 8, 2020
Washington coach Ron Rivera began his treatment for squamous cell carcinoma today. He is not at practice during the early portion, though he could show up later I’m told.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 8, 2020
Del Rio didn’t provide any health updates on Coach Rivera, and said today’s practice was business as usual. The team found out Rivera would miss today’s practice two days ago, and they had a solid practice.
Del Rio said that they’re not expecting anything more from Young than they are the other players. Wants him to go fast, play hard, be technique sound, play with great energy and help the team win in whatever way possible.
Kendall Fuller practiced today which is a good sign after he has been held out of practice with an undisclosed injury for the past two weeks. Fuller was listed as a starter in today’s depth chart, and is expected to be a leader in the secondary this year. LB Thomas Davis Sr. has also been “banged up a little bit”, but he is not expected to be a starter this season. Del Rio saw a change in Kevin Pierre-Louis, and he has been everything they expected him to be in Washington.
Jack Del Rio Presser
Press Conference - Jack Del Rio https://t.co/0Di0Yu5hNT
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 8, 2020
Ron Rivera:
Del Rio does not have an update about how Rivera is feeling, but he said they expect him to be back tomorrow.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Del Rio said he expects Rivera back on Wednesday and it was "business as usual" at practice today. @WTOP
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) September 8, 2020
Ron Rivera was not at practice today for his treatment. Del Rio said practice was normal and they "carried on." He said they have their plan in place for this situation.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
.@coachdelrio says Ron Rivera has been a 'rock" and has communicated tremendously to the staff.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 8, 2020
Says team will play fast and adjust quickly. @WSHFootballSI
Jack Del Rio on filling in for Ron Rivera: "I'm just going to carry on his message. We're going to stay on point with what he's doing. ... Everybody's got to step up and help the team."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 8, 2020
Del Rio said he found out about two days ago that Rivera wouldn't be at practice today. "I thought our guys reacted [well]. We had a good, solid practice today."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 8, 2020
we just wrapped up a call with Del Rio via zoom. Took over for Rivera today (treatments). called it "business as usual....
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 8, 2020
It's been pretty seamless. i understand what he's looking for. I've been in this role before with Coach Fox in Denver." Was an interim coach for 4 games
Chase Young:
Del Rio said that they're not expecting anything more from Young than they are the other players. Wants him to go fast, play hard, be technique sound, play with great energy and help the team win in whatever way possible.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Cornerbacks:
Del Rio said he feels good about the work that being put in from the CBs. He likes their answers to different situations that are presented to them by the offense.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Kendall Fuller:
.@coachdelrio says of Kendall Fuller "he's working hard" and participated today.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 8, 2020
Won't reveal whether they are going to have CB's travel.
Del Rio says Kendall Fuller did practice today..he's missed a good amount of time this summer.
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) September 8, 2020
Thomas Davis Sr.:
Del Rio said that Thomas Davis Sr. has been "banged up a little bit," so he was not able to work as much as some of the other linebackers. Davis is listed as a second-team linebacker behind Shaun Dion-Hamilton.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Linebackers:
.@coachdelrio says Thomas Davis has been a bit banged up (true) and seemed to indicate that Jon Bostic, Kevin Pierre Louis and Shaun Dion Hamilton are the No. 1 unit as listed in depth chart, but also in reality. @WSHFootballSI @theMMQB
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 8, 2020
Rivera has said there could be an active rotation at linebacker. Del Rio said Washington will put out the best group for each game. Also added that they like the group they have at LB.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Kevin Pierre-Louis:
.@coachdelrio says of Kevin Pierre Louis that his "light" went on last year and is "everything we thought he'd be" ...He has "explosive speed"
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 8, 2020
All of this is true. It showed in camp. @WSHFootballSI
Del Rio said that in watching Kevin Pierre-Louis late last year, he saw him play with confidence, certainty and explosiveness. Also praised his speed and smarts. KPL is listed as a starting LB on the initial depth chart.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Running backs:
Del Rio believes the running backs are a "talented group." But in terms of divvying up the reps, Del Rio deferred to OC Scott Turner.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Del Rio said the RBs are able to do a lot of things and knows what they're capable of having worked against them during training camp. He's excited to see what they can do on game day.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
New defense:
Del Rio said the biggest thing he seeks to do when taking over a new defense is making sure everyone understands where they belong.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Quick defense:
Del Rio said he wants the defense to solve problems quickly and adjust to problems quickly.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Potential vs Production:
Don't ask Jack Del Rio about potential. He wants to see production, starting Sunday against Philadelphia.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Another thing from Del Rio: "One question I get is about how talented we are. It's about production. The league isn't about assembling talent. There are a lot of guys in the Hall of Fame who were undrafted. It's about how you perform when you get an opportunity."
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 8, 2020
Amen.
Eagles RB Miles Sanders:
Del Rio describes Eagles RB Miles Sanders as a "really good pass receiver and ball carrier." As a whole, Del Rio said the Eagles have some "really good pieces."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio met with the media and discussed what he expects to see against the Eagles this weekend. pic.twitter.com/xJtCJNYnI3
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 8, 2020