The Washington Redskins will enter their third preseason “dress rehearsal” game a little gun shy. With numerous injuries at the running back position, Coach Jay Gruden and company may be a little cautious with the starters. However, they must get some work done before hitting the ground running against the Arizona Cardinals in the first game of the regular season.
With that being said, there will be plenty of guys looking to carve their way onto the roster.
Here are three players to watch in Friday nights game at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland:
1). WR Cam Sims
To say that the former Alabama product had a quiet college career is an understatement. In his four years in college, Sims had 41 total receptions for 467 yards and two touchdowns. In just two preseason games with the Redskins, Sims has exploded onto the scene by making several acrobatic catches to help extend drives.
The 6-foot-5 pass catcher has great size, even with his inconsistencies he has the ability to attack the football at its highest point and make a play. This is something that he has done on a regular basis this preseason.
With his ability to also contribute on special teams it will be something to watch and see if he can continue to build open his five catches for 131 yards that he has accrued this season and secure a roster spot.
2. CB Ranthony Texada
The TCU product at 5’10” 175 lbs looks like a player that would be more of a slot CB. But Texada is more than just a guy who can play the slot. The Former Horned Frogs has the ability to play multiple different coverages and despite his small stature, he could easily play on the outside as well.
It will be interesting to how well he plays in the final two preseason games especially with the logjam of quality defensive backs. Texada may be a long shot to make the final 53 but could play himself onto the practice squad. In two preseason games, he has three tackles and one pass defended.
3. RB Adrian Peterson
After a slew of injuries that have depleted the Washington Redskins running backs depth, the Burgundy and Gold signed seven-time Pro Bowler Adrian Peterson to a one year deal. In 2017 the former Oklahoma star had 529 yards on 156 carries averaging 3.4 yards per carry and two touchdowns.
But the question remains what does the 33-year-old have left in the tank?
Peterson didn’t have the most consistent year with either the New Orleans Saints or the Arizona Cardinals but many factors as Peterson said during his introductory press conference with the Redskins played a role. The Palestine, Texas native will have a fair shot to silence the naysayers as the Redskins provide him with a strong offensive line to run behind.
Over the next two preseason games, it will be intriguing to see what impacts the future Hall of Famer running back will have in the Redskins running game. Two things to watch for will be whether he has the power to be successful in short yardage situations and if he has the burst and ability to still make the big runs that he showed flashes of while with Arizona.