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Ron Rivera opened his post-practice presser talking about WR Curtis Samuel who has been dealing with a groin injury for what seems like his entire time in Washington. Samuel will work back into practice with the team on Monday as the team works in pads. Rivera’s level of optimism is very high that Samuel will be ready for Week 1. He doesn’t feel that Samuel needs extra work with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, and he already knows the offense that OC Scott Turner runs.
Rivera also said that Samuel won’t play if he’s not 100% game-ready. He won’t return before he’s ready for a full workload. Rivera said the faster guys take a little bit longer to return from groin injuries. You don’t want them to tweak the injury coming back too soon. Samuel’s speed and quickness are coming back, and he’s been getting his rhythm back catching balls on the side field.
Rivera said he wasn’t concerned if Samuel couldn’t play because of the WR room that they have here. Samuel missed 10 days while on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, and his extended absence has given rookie receivers like Dyami Brown and Dax Milne opportunities to prove themselves and develop in this offense.
Ryan Fitzpatrick was finally named the starting QB after an open competition in training camp. He said again that he regrets last year’s decision to not have a competition and naming Dwayne Haskins Jr. the starting QB. They started out giving the QBs equal reps this year, but Fitzpatrick’s football acumen and experience was evident.
LIVE: HC Ron Rivera speaks with the media following today’s practice https://t.co/PhzbOMHC2N
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 2, 2021
Curtis Samuel:
Rivera on Chase Young and Curtis Samuel. pic.twitter.com/E8n0KO5mcx
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2021
Ron Rivera said Curtis Samuel will begin practicing Monday. "We're feeling really confident and he's had some really good days out there on the side."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 2, 2021
Ron Rivera said his optimism is 'very high' in Curtis Samuel. Said they expect him to be in pads Monday and ready to go.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2021
Ron Rivera on Curtis Samuel: "I will say this: A guy that runs fast, the guys that are speedsters, take a little bit longer" to recover from a groin injuries.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 2, 2021
Ron Rivera said he saw Curtis's speed and quickness coming back in recent days.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 2, 2021
Ron Rivera says "very high" optimism that Curtis Samuel can play Week 1
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 2, 2021
Ron Rivera said Curtis Samuel's status for Week 1 will either be "all or nothing." He'll either be ready or he won't play. Won't be a limited thing.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 2, 2021
Ron Rivera says he won't play WR Curtis Samuel unless he's at 100 percent. He won't be used in limited packages.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) September 2, 2021
"He'll either be ready, great. Or he won't be ready, great. We have guys who can do some of what he does."
Chase Young:
Ron Rivera said DE Chase Young felt ill this morning and didn't want to push it at practice. Rivera said Young did not test positive for covid, and he expects him back Monday as well.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) September 2, 2021
William Jackson III:
Ron Rivera addressing the media. On William Jackson III, he said the cornerback has been moving well and he’s had a good few days.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
Ryan Fitzpatrick:
Rivera said he didn’t feel the need to point out the obvious with Fitzpatrick being the starting quarterback. Fitzpatrick’s football acumen and experience was apparent.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
Rivera on QB1. Goes back to the mistake last year of no competition which is why he claimed there would be a battle this time.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 2, 2021
Now Rivera says he just didn't want to state the obvious with Fitzpatrick. Says there were some shared reps, but ultimately Fitz was the guy.
Adam Humphries:
Rivera said the relationship between Adam Humphries and Fitzpatrick is “awesome.” He works very very hard at his game, and the two know how to work together.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
Dyami Brown/Dax Milne:
Rivera said receivers like Dyami Brown and Dax Milne took advantage of their opportunities with Curtis Samuel recovering.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
Open spot on the practice squad:
Asked Rivera about the open PS spot. QB? Says they're looking at a few positions. Sounds like there could be a move today/soon.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 2, 2021
LIVE: LB Cole Holcomb speaks with the media following today’s practice https://t.co/YytufOoArV
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 2, 2021
Game prep:
Cole Holcomb at the mic. He said it’s nice to get the extra week of game prep with only three preseason games this weekend. It allow players to get more time to recover and prepare for a 17-game season.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
Jamin Davis:
Holcomb said Davis is coming along well. He gives small tips to the rookie every so often like where he could be faster on certain plays.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
LIVE: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick speaks with the media following today’s practice https://t.co/QFCQFRyDV1
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 2, 2021
Season grind:
Ryan Fitzpatrick is addressing the media. This weekend will be a deep breath, he said, and the calm before the storm. It’ll be a grind for the next four or five months.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
Family time:
Ryan Fitzpatrick intends to take a “deep breath” this holiday weekend before practice ramps up next week and the season starts up next Sunday. He’s hoping to get some family time in with the understanding that it’s about to get real pic.twitter.com/69TomJDGlQ
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) September 2, 2021
Last year's COVID-19 offseason vs this year:
Things were so much different last year, Fitzpatrick said. This year, it was nice to have an offseason where he and the players could meet and talk and have some locker room time to get to know each other.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
Ryan Fitzpatriick says it's easier to foster relationships with new teammates this year but they still are being 'extra careful' and following protocols. #WashingtonFootball
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 2, 2021
Beard life:
Don't worry
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 2, 2021
Fitz's beard isn't going anywhere pic.twitter.com/PFRTjfPh8R
Ryan Fitzpatrick said he saw this picture recently and just told us, "I don't think I can ever shave again." https://t.co/Isx9Hub0wU
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) September 2, 2021
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick said he's seen the recent pictures of golfer Dustin Johnson and tight end Travis Kelce without their beards.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) September 2, 2021
"I don't think I could ever shave again. They look like different human beings."
Interceptions:
Ryan Fitzpatrick said his interceptions have been cut down with age and experience: "I try to make educated decisions sometimes. ... You just make those educated decisions and go from there."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 2, 2021
Ryan Fitzpatrick says early in his career he didn’t realize “throws couldn’t be worth 14 points.” Says he’s learned a lot, tries to make “educated decisions”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 2, 2021
Self-improvement:
Fitzpatrick said he’s worked through some self discovery over the years to improve. It’s helped him get a better idea of his strengths and weaknesses he can hone in on what he does well.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
QB1:
Ryan Fitzpatrick says he never needed public confirmation that he was QB1 in Washington.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 2, 2021
Rivera waited until a couple days ago to officially name Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback. Rivera didn’t see it as much of an issue, and neither did Fitz.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
Dyami Brown:
“Diyami Brown is just a playmaker”
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) September 2, 2021
-Ryan Fitzpatrick
#WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/eNIGwAw84D
Young WRs:
Receiver, Fitzpatrick said, is a very difficult position to play when you’re young. There’s a lot of concepts that you just don’t do in college. Dyami Brown and Dax Milne have both been very sharp and have adapted well.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) September 2, 2021
Curtis Samuel:
Ryan Fitzpatrick on not yet working with Curtis Samuel since the spring. And not in full-pad work... pic.twitter.com/k8MX4EnqDB
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2021
Fitz on not working with Samuel yet. Says no big deal based on his history. He's thrown to tons of guys over his career, and he's watched a bunch of film on Samuel.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 2, 2021
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