Ron Rivera Presser: Everyone threw the ball well today

Washington's practice/injury report for Wednesday ... Kendall Fuller is new ...

DNP
Thomas Davis (knee)

LIMITED
Alex Smith (calf)
Antonio Gibson (toe)
Terry McLaurin (ankle)
Kevin Pierre-Louis (ankle)
Brandon Scherff (shoulder)
Kendall Fuller (knee)

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 6, 2021

Sounds like Alex Smith may have done the walkthrough today, and Taylor Heinicke handled the practice itself.

Ron not tipping his hand, which is the correct move here. pic.twitter.com/5vAib9CbhO

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) January 6, 2021

Rivera said Smith threw the ball well. He also said Taylor Heinicke and Steven Montez threw the ball well.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Rivera Smith is in the building early and constantly working on everything. He said he's probably downstairs working on improving something right now.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Wanted to get some intel from Ron on what makes Tampa's run defense so effective. His answer: "They've got some good football players." And that was it

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera on the Bucs: "This is one of the better defenses we will face."

Bucs are No. 1 in rushing defense, No. 6 in total defense and No. 8 in scoring defense. However, they are 21st against the pass and fourth-worst in opponent completion percentage.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Rivera said the Bucs offensive line have done a good job of giving Brady time to throw the football. He has always been impressed by Bruce Arians' offenses in terms of having a vertical passing attack.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Rivera on Brady: "You can't give him time, because he will deliver a good ball."

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Rivera said you have to be very judicious against Brady. He's seen it all and done it all. It all comes down to situational football and when to make decisions.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Rivera said you can't let Brady have the ball last. If you do, he's probably going to beat you. It'll come down to the last play of the game. That's who he is.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera on Tom Brady: "I don't think you can say first year in a system for" someone as experienced and successful as Brady. He was going to pick it up quick and run it well, and that's what he's done.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera says seeing Taylor Heinecke play against the Panthers helped his Washington teammates believe he belongs

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 6, 2021

Rivera said he didn't get a chance to see a lot of Taylor Heinicke with the Panthers, but what he could do earlier this year help give him a clearer evaluation of what he can do.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera says what Taylor Heinicke did at the end of the #Panthers game helped him....and it helped sell him to Chase Young and his teammates.

Ron reminded us what Taylor said to CY - "I do what I do."

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) January 6, 2021

"10 out of 10 experts picked Tampa Bay? OK, great. Is that important?"

Looks like Ron Rivera has seen this pic.twitter.com/4mmst7OZMt

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Rivera: "We're going to play hard and we're going to play to the end."

Shouldn't expect anything more from a Rivera-led team.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Worth noting here that Washington's defense ranks 13th in blitz percentage but fourth in pressures. In other words, Washington is able to create problems for offenses without selling out on a blitz. https://t.co/t0p1OP2VHs

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

A big question Rivera has posed to his team and used on this call: "Why not us?"

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera loves Scott Turner's creativity and ability to make adjustments as the game goes along. Very pleased with communication between the two. #WashingtonFootball

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) January 6, 2021

Rivera said he is very pleased with the offensive line, particularly on the right side, but he has also been impressed with the play of Wes Schweitzer and Cornelius Lucas.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera says he's happy with the progress that Wes Schweitzer and Cornelius Lucas have made on the left side.

Gave a lot of credit to John Matsko and Travelle Wharton.

— Washington Football On SI.com (@WSHFootballSI) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera highlights the right side of the offensive line (Brandon Scherff/Morgan Moses) as one of the team's strengths this season. Also praised Wes Schweitzer and Cornelius Lucas, who came over during free agency.

"Both of those guys have really stepped up."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Ron on the OL: We have four guys tied up contract-wise and I "would love to" make it five. The fifth, of course, is Brandon Scherff, who's on a franchise tag right now

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera REALLY likes this team. And he's coached a lot of teams. pic.twitter.com/yGK2txkqzD

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) January 6, 2021

Rivera said he will always be fond of this Washington group because of what they have accomplished and endured this year.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera - There’s just something about this team that keeps me in awe of our young men, our coaches and our support staff. Rivera adds that the “player’s commitment” to keeping the Covid numbers low is something he will never forget

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 6, 2021

Ron Rivera on his team: "This will be one of the groups I will always be fond of, there's just something about this year that have kept me in awe of our young men. To go through and do what they did in light of the situation we are currently in the world, speaks to them."

— Logan Campbell (@loganncampbelll) January 6, 2021

Offensive coordinator Scott Turner addressing the media now. Praised the Eagles' defensive front, which hindered @WashingtonNFL in the second half.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Scott Turner on QB Taylor Heinicke:

"If Taylor has gotta play, he's gotta play. We're not going to baby him. We're not going to paly scared. We're going to play to win."

Highlighted Heinicke's competitiveness and intelligence.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Scott Turner says "If he's the guy that's out there, guys will rally around him," on Taylor Heinicke.

— Washington Football On SI.com (@WSHFootballSI) January 6, 2021

Scott Turner says that "you get reenergized" being in the playoffs after the grind of the regular season. @WashingtonNFL has fought hard to get into the postseason, Turner said, and it'll continue to fight to stay in.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Scott Turner said the pass-catchers have to get open quickly and the QB has to make quick and smart decisions against the Bucs, who have one of the best pass rushes in the NFL.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Scott Turner on Alex Smith: "He's the leader of the offense." Said there is a sense of calm and control with him in the huddle, even if he's not 100%.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Terry McLaurin is addressing the media right now. He said he felt settled in after the first drive against the Eagles. He hadn't run the TD play all week, so the mental reps kicked in.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Rivera has been saying "Why Not Us?" for a while now. McLaurin said this team has earned the right to win the division, get into the playoffs and host a playoff game. This team has gelled a lot this year. So, McLaurin said, "Why not us?" is a perfect way to describe the situation

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

McLaurin said the team never made excuses for itself. The players have owned performances, good and bad, and that is where growth happens.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Rivera's cancer treatment was crazy, McLaurin said, but the head coach didn't skip a beat. He was on McLaurin's mind when he was going trough treatment last week. It makes him want to do whatever necessary to help the team.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Chase Young is addressing the media now. He said Tampa Bay has a really good offense and a lot of weapons. The defense is making sure it is locked in and focused.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Chase Young on if he cares about Tampa perhaps making his recent video calling out Brady as bulletin board material: "If you know me, my team knows me, I'm excited for every game. You know, Tom Brady, if you think I'm not going to be excited about playing the GOAT, you tripping!"

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 6, 2021

This season has been an unusual one to say the least, but Young said the team has had to roll with the punches.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Young said the way Rivera would go to treatments and still attend practice is a testament for the kind of man he is.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Young said the playoffs are a big opportunity and moment for the team, and they are doing everything they can do give their best.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Every game, Young said, teams need to watch out for Washington's front four.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 6, 2021

Alex Smith is addressing the media now.

"Tomorrow is going to be a telling day" in terms of his calf. Said he was pleased with what he got done today.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Alex Smith was asked what he'll consider when factoring in whether he wants to play next season.

"Besides my wife's opinion?"

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 6, 2021

Alex Smith on playing in the NFL: "When you're away from it, you miss it quick."

Smith said that despite everything he's gone through just to be in this position, he is "absolutely relishing everything about this week."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Alex Smith on the Bucs' defense: "They're really good up front. Really good up front. And then on top of that, they're very active as a group."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021

Alex Smith highlights OC Scott Turner's consistency, creativity, and steadiness in not only trying to win but to help this young offense grow.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 6, 2021