Ron Rivera Presser: You don’t want to go down 0-2 and then have to go to Buffalo

LIVE: Coach Rivera speaks with the media after practice No. 1 of Giants week https://t.co/Lg7K4l5Xc2

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 14, 2021

Injury report:

Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip) -- DNP
Antonio Gibson (shoulder) -- FULL

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 14, 2021

Ron Rivera said he believe Scott Turner will listen to input from Taylor Heinicke on formulating a game plan. What Rivera appreciates about Turner is that he puts a plan together and then works to his players' strengths.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 14, 2021

Rivera said Heinicke could learn from the way Fitzpatrick led receivers when he threw the ball.

As for Heinicke's biggest jump since Carolina, Rivera says it's his overall understanding of the game, knowing when to take shots, scramble, etc. Better at protecting himself

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 14, 2021

Ron Rivera said one of the reasons he's not concerned about Taylor Heinicke is because they make the point to roll players during the offseason so they get used to playing with the first group. Him playing with the 1s isn't going to be a brand new experience

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 14, 2021

Rivera says Daniel Jones can run, throws the ball well. Says his team can't turn it over

— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) September 14, 2021

Ron Rivera said the thing that Daniel Jones does well, and has done well in his four wins against WAS, is run well. Rivera said they need to keep him contained in the pocket

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 14, 2021

Rivera said Daniel Jones is dynamic and can throw on the run, so keeping him in the pocket is going to be important.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 14, 2021

One of the things Rivera said having a strong special teams contribution can create a spark and build momentum for the offense. DeAndre Carter averaged 21.7 yards on kick returns and 11 yards on punt returns

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 14, 2021

Ron Rivera said one of the things he saw with Sam Cosmi was getting anxious and reverted to what they saw in their college tape.

Rivera said the only thing that builds experience is going out there and playing. Discussed the 5,000 reps it takes to help young players get into it

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 14, 2021

On at least two of the qb hits/sacks vs Bosa, Cosmi was overeager in trying to get his hands on him and ended up reaching and getting out over his skis a little … with a little more patience he’ll have more success https://t.co/cBn4vtLFTD

— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) September 14, 2021

Ron Rivera on Sam Cosmi. Said a couple of times he "got anxious" and reverted to some poor technique. Overall, he thought the rookie RT did fine against an elite pass rusher in Joey Bosa. "I thought he had a good game. ... held is own."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 14, 2021

Rivera says his team understands the importance of this game. Don't want to go 0-2 and it's a division game.

— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) September 14, 2021

Ron Rivera: ‘You don’t want to go down 0-2 and then have to go to Buffalo’
Rivera adds that players understand the urgency of Thursday nights game.

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 14, 2021

Rivera says he thinks the players recognize there's some urgency this week. "In this world you only get so many opportunities."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 14, 2021

Ron Rivera says he gets the sense and sees that his players understand the importance of this game.

Don't play another division game until Dec. The team is 0-1. They understand the situation at hand

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 14, 2021

Rivera: we have to play to our capabilities and play smarter than what we put out last week.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 14, 2021

Fantasy football alert.

Rivera on Antonio Gibson's Week 1 usage (23 touches). "I think he's ready to handle it, and it was also the flow of the game."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 14, 2021

Rivera on defensive issues: "I expect it to be fixed now. More of a matter of being disciplined."

— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) September 14, 2021

Rivera said the way the defense is designed, it’s about accountability. His expectations are as high as they have ever been. He said he expects the defense to be better.#WashingtonFootball #WFT #NFL @SportsJourney

— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) September 14, 2021

Ron Rivera says Ryan Fitzpatrick was in the meetings today and getting his treatments. They will put him on IR a little bit later

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 14, 2021