Need to Know: Don't hold your breath

Here is what you need to know on this Monday, two days before the Redskins finish up their preseason against the Tampa Bay Bucs at FedEx Field.

Don’t hold your breath waiting on news about cuts

Some NFL teams have already made some cuts in advance of today’s 4 p.m. deadline to reduce the rosters down to 75. I would not anticipate the Redskins making an announcement prior to the deadline.

That may be frustrating for fans and media but it is the way Mike Shanahan does things and it is not likely to change.

If a veteran gets released, word might filter out through his agent. But we will learn the fates anonymous players that will make up the bulk of the players who will be released today via a press release that will come out sometime after 4 p.m.

Don’t hold your breath waiting on a waiver claim

While I wouldn’t rule out the Redskins picking up a player cut by another team today I doubt that it will happen. There is not a whole lot of quality in the last 15 players on a 90-man roster and the Redskins are unlikely to be able to upgrade over what they have from that pool of players.

There may be some more maneuvering when final cuts are made on Friday when there could be some pretty good players suddenly unemployed. Still, in two previous seasons here Shanahan has not claimed a player off of waivers at the cutdown deadline. He is inclined to go into the season with the players who have been through the offseason program and training camp with the team.

Today’s schedule

—11:15 Open locker room
—1:00 Practice (closed to media after first 30 minutes)
—After practice (approx. 3:00) Mike Shanahan news conference
—4:00 Roster size must be reduced to 75

In case you missed it

Who helped and hurt their stock against the Colts?

20 in 20 looks at the possibility of a comeback season for Santana Moss.

On Saturday, Tim Hightower took a huge step on the road to recovery from knee surgery.

Days until: Preseason finale Bucs @ Redskins 2; final cuts 4; Redskins @ Saints 13; home opener vs. Bengals 27; Thanksgiving Redskins @ Cowboys 87