Saturday, head coach Ron Rivera ripped into the Washington Football Team following practice due to their lack of consistency and energy. Since, the team has engaged in physical practices. However, Tuesday’s physicality provided a scary moment involving safety Troy Apke and wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin caught a pass from quarterback Dwayne Haskins and was met with a helmet-to-helmet hit from Apke.
Luckily, neither player was hurt. McLaurin is clear-cut the top wide receiver on the Washington Football Team. Meanwhile, Apke has been slotted as the first-team free safety opposite of Landon Collins.
The intensity of practice has revved up since Rivera’s tirade on the team. It’s great except that physicality can provide overzealous moments. Sunday, linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton got an earful from Rivera for hitting running back JD McKissic up high around the neck.
Apke’s hit could have been devastating on many fronts, including hurting Washington’s biggest offensive threat in McLaurin. Rivera said he will have talk to Apke as the defense needs to “give the right of way to the offensive guy,” but he was pleased with the aggression.
