The Washington Football Team had their first padded practice of training camp Tuesday. Select members of the media were allowed to observe practice. A huge takeaway from practice was who were chosen for the first team reps at certain positions.
Most notably, recently signed Dontrelle Inman lined up as the No. 2 wide receiver opposite of Terry McLaurin. Geron Christian lined up at left tackle. Wes Martin was at let guard. Kevin Pierre-Louis and Jon Bostic were at linebacker. Ronald Darby and Jimmy Moreland were the outside cornerbacks with Troy Apke at free safety opposite of Landon Collins.
Those names may provide a glimpse, at least initially, where Washington’s position battles stand. However, Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera is saying don’t look too much into Tuesday’s practice, as they’ll try different combinations as training camp progresses.
“You’re gonna see different combinations of guys,” Rivera told the media following practice. “Very few positions are set in our mind right now.”
In Rivera’s first year, Washington added quite a few new faces, looking to revamp their roster makeup, especially on the left side of the offensive line and linebacker.
“There’s a couple of spots we feel very, very comfortable with so we’re probably not gonna rotate guys through that,” Rivera added. “But other one’s we’re still trying to find the right combinations. Tomorrow you may see a different group of players on the left side of our offensive line. You might see a different combination of safeties in the secondary. You’re definitely gonna see a different group and combination of linebackers, that’s for sure.
The left side of the offensive line could make or break Washington’s offense in 2020. Christian, a 2018 third-round pick, Cornelius Lucas and rookie Saadhiq Charles are expected to compete at the opportunity of protecting quarterback Dwayne Haskins’ blindside.
Charles didn’t practice Tuesday with a “minor” injury. Christian received the early nod. Now is the time for him to comfortably fit in at left tackle.
Linebacker is a different situation. Washington has a plethora of potential talent at each of the three spots. Additionally, there is a good mix of veterans and young players pushing each other with Thomas Davis Sr., Reuben Foster, Cole Holcomb and Shaun Dion Hamilton as well as Bostic and Pierre-Louis. Rivera previously suggested Washington could use a “linebacker by committee” system.
Meanwhile, strong safety Landon Collins told reporters Tuesday, he has worked with Sean Davis and Deshazor Everett along with Apke in the defensive backfield. Look for Washington’s coaches to mix up the first team reps from day-to-day.
