The plan is for Case Keenum to start at quarterback for the Washington Redskins Sunday against the New York Giants. He returned to practice Thursday after being out Wednesday. However, rookie and first-round pick Dwayne Haskins took some first team reps, head coach Jay Gruden announced.
The Redskins are prepping the rookie in case there is any setbacks for Keenum.
Much has been made about Haskins previously not taking first team reps since the start of the regular season. Most backups don’t take reps from starting quarterbacks once the season has started. Unless, a similar situation as this week’s presents itself.
Keenum was in walking boot Wednesday after injuring his foot against the Chicago Bears on Monday night. Colt McCoy returned to practice for the first team during the regular season on Wednesday, drawing chatter on social media from fans and pundits about McCoy possibly jumping Haskins on the depth chart.
For this week, that does not seem to be case. Haskins will continue to be the backup, and potential starter if Keenum is unable to play against the Giants.
There has been a lot of outside eagerness to get Haskins on the field following the Redskins 0-3 start. Fellow 2019 first-round quarterbacks, Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals and Daniel Jones of the Giants have started for their respective teams. Murray since Week 1 and Jones, the Redskins’ opponent Sunday, got his first start last week.
Haskins, however, has been patience throughout the process.
“No, I’m happy for those guys,” Haskins said per ESPN’s John Keim. “It’s easy to look at the rookie class and be like, ‘Rookies are playing, why am I not playing?’ I want to be like Tom Brady and Drew Brees and that’s something that doesn’t happen overnight. Tom didn’t play at first; Aaron Rodgers didn’t play at first.”
Whether Haskins plays Sunday or not, his time will come soon. He is the future franchise quarterback of the Redskins. Waiting his turn won’t change that destiny. It’s just a matter of when.
