Ron Rivera Presser: Alex Smith moved really well today; Steven Montez will be signed to the active roster

OUT
Thomas Davis (knee)

QUESTIONABLE
QB Alex Smith (calf)
WR Terry McLaurin (ankle)
RB Antonio Gibson (toe)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (ankle)

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 1, 2021

Ron Rivera is addressing the media now. He said McLaurin and Gibson worked with trainers today and saw some encouraging signs. Both, along with Alex Smith, are QUESTIONABLE.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Ron Rivera isnt making any decision on Alex Smith until he sees how he feels tomorrow after working at practice this week. Rivera adds that Lamar Miller could be a contributor Sunday

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 1, 2021

Ron Rivera said Alex Smith came out of yesterday "feeling pretty good" and "had a good day today."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 1, 2021

Ron Rivera said QB Alex Smith came out of yesterday's practice "feeling pretty good." Said Smith took the reps that were assigned to him in practice today.

"I thought he had a good day of work today. Moved around well, threw the ball well. Tomorrow will be the indicator."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 1, 2021

Regarding Terry McLaurin/Antonio Gibson, Ron Rivera said they were working with the trainers because the team was "really being smart" practicing on the turf. Rivera said what they did was "pretty encouraging."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 1, 2021

Rivera said Lamar Miller can be a contributor if he needs to. Miller has been getting reps in practice just in case Gibson can't play.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Rivera said it has been good to watch all the quarterbacks work. Today was the team's situational football day, and each of them got some reps.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Rivera said they will elevate Steven Montez off the practice squad to fill the roster spot vacated by the Haskins release... Makes sense; Rivera has wanted 3 QBs active on game days b/c of the injuries.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 1, 2021

Rivera said backup players have to have a certain amount of confidence in their abilities. That's a quality that Taylor Heinicke has, and Rivera said it's amazing when backups have it.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

"He's a good football player. ...Smart, he understands the game, and he's done a nice job for us."

-- Ron Rivera on starting center Chase Roullier, whose rookie contract expires after this season.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 1, 2021

Ron Rivera notes that one of the positives this season was that nobody ran away with the NFC East, so "we played for something every week."

Also mentioned how the team responded well during the toughest stretch of the season.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 1, 2021

Ron Rivera on the 2020 @WashingtonNFL team: "They truly are a resilient bunch"

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 1, 2021

Rivera said he has put a lot of emphasis on how important this upcoming game is. There have been several close losses this season, and none of those will haunt him because it's all part of the learning process.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

If @WashingtonNFL loses Sunday night, Ron Rivera said the near-misses this season (in New York and Detroit) will not haunt him because "that's all part of the learning process more so than anything else."

"You either win or you learn" - Rivera said of what this year was about.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 1, 2021

Defensive line coach Sam Mills is addressing the media. He said he's excited and proud of the development his position group has made. Players have worked hard at picking up the scheme.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Mills said the defensive line is believing in each other and the scheme. They're leading the way, he said.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Washington has a defensive line that could stay together for a long time. Mills said they can use this time to learn how to gel, and when they start to play off each other, there's no limit to what the group can do.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Anytime you play against a mobile quarterback, it helps to have previous experience against others with a similar skillset. Washington has seen some of the best this year, and Mills want to use that in preparing for Jalen Hurts.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Mills said Montez Sweat and Chase Young are not a great tandem yet (still growing into that), but they have a good skillset and play off each other well.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Mills said whether the team was 8-0 of 0-8, the message from Rivera stays the same. That consistency has helped the players through the ups and downs of the season.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Mills said James Smith-Williams is really mature and can play multiple positions for them. That excites Mills and the rest of the coaching staff.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

DL coach Sam Mills Jr. said Chase Young's leadership helped by guys like Allen, Kerrigan and Ioannidis. "he got to learn from those guys before he took his piece of the puzzle," Mills said. "His maturity level has been so outstanding.... Why he'll be 1 of our great leaders."

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 1, 2021

Taylor Heinicke is addressing the media. He said this week has been like every other week in the NFL. He's worked hard and prepared as if he would be the starter.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Heinicke said there's no better job than being in the NFL. He was on the other side of that looking for an opportunity. You don't find it often, he said, and it's hard to get back in once you get out. He hopes this past month won't be his only opportunity.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

When he was backing up in the XFL, Taylor Heinicke started thinking about beginning the next stage of his life. So this week at practice, he made sure to take a second and think about the situation he's in and the chance he may get Sunday night pic.twitter.com/5Kr1wgUdxX

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 1, 2021

Heinicke doesn't know what the next chapter of his life will be. He might want to get into coaching, but he didn't like how his time in the NFL ended two years ago and wants to make a good impression in his second chance.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Heinicke said running the offense wasn't difficult. The biggest challenge was getting used to the speed of the game again. He's also been trying to develop his timing with receivers.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 1, 2021

Taylor Heinicke on his new buddy Chase Young: "I look at all the teams I've been with, and there's never been a rookie come in like he has and take the reins... I think this guy's going to be a problem for a long time"

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 1, 2021

Taylor Heinicke says with the teams he's been on (#Vikings #Panthers #Texans) that he's never seen a rookie like @youngchase907 in terms of leadership and being a captain while obviously playing at a high level.

— Washington Football On SI.com (@WSHFootballSI) January 1, 2021