Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy was sore after Sunday’s practice and his status for Thursday’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals is unclear, head coach Jay Gruden told reporters Tuesday following practice per ESPN’s John Keim.
McCoy is still not quite 100 percent recovered from his leg injury in December that required three surgical procedures.
McCoy is battling Case Keenum and rookie Dwayne Haskins for the Redskins’ starting quarterback position. Gruden recently admitted that neither had stood out and he hopes somebody will take over the battle.
Last week McCoy sat out the Redskins’ preseason opener, as Keenum started the game against the Cleveland Browns. Haskins followed up as the second quarterback to enter.
If McCoy is unable to go against the Bengals, it’s unclear how Gruden will choose to rotate the quarterbacks. Presumably Keenum would still get the start.
The Redskins signed undrafted free agent Jalan McClendon Sunday as the team placed Josh Woodrum on injured reserve with a torn pectoral. McClendon will need to come up to speed, but given the latest status of McCoy, he may get clean-up snaps.
McCoy has the most experience in Gruden’s offensive system, being with the Redskins the past four seasons primarily as a backup. However, Keenum has more game experience being a starting quarterback with 54 starts throughout his seven-year career. But, he is new to the system. Meanwhile Haskins is raw and full of potential, however, he is a rookie that is facing a steep learning curve.
Having Colt McCoy back and fully healthy is best for Gruden, who is looking to name the Week 1 starter following the Redskins’ third preseason game. If McCoy misses a second straight preseason game, that may complicate Gruden’s decision.
