Here is what you need to know on this Saturday, September 29, the day before the Redskins take on the Bucs in Tampa.
Chat starts tomorrow at 4:00
Check right here tomorrow for our wildly popular game chat, a mix of commentary, analysis and snarky comments by me, Jen X in our Bethesda studios, Tarik at Raymond James Stadium and, of course, you.
As always, we might get things going early so keep an eye on Twitter (@Rich_Tandler).
Some elite company
If Robert Griffin III passes for at least 253 yards against the Bucs tomorrow, he will become just the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to have at least 1000 yards passing in the first four games of the season. Last year, Cam Newton passed for 1,386 yards in his first four games in the league a year ago.
If he gets at least 153 yards in the air, Griffin will become the eighth rookie to get at least 900 passing yards in the first four games of the season. A few of the all-time greats are on this list—Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Warren Moon and future Canton enshrinee Peyton Manning. It should be noted that of the three, Manning was the only true rookie. Kelly (USFL) and Moon (CFL) both had pro experience prior to coming to the NFL.
But throwing for 900 in the first four games games as a rookie is no guarantee of greatness. Chris Weinke did it for the Panthers in 2001. Brandon Weeden, who played his fourth game on Thursday night with the Browns, has 997 passing yards. Sam Bradford of the Rams is the other quarterback in the group.
Injury contingencies
As of right now, it appears unlikely that Trent Williams (knee) will play tomorrow. If he doesn’t, Jordan Black, who has 40 NFL starts in eight seasons, will be the starter at left tackle. Maurice Hurt, who has been active as the backup at either guard spot, would become the swing tackle. Rookie Josh LeRibeus will join the active list for the first time this season and back up in the interior line.
Cedric Griffin is out with a hamstring injury. That happened early in the Bengals game and that means that rookie Richard Crawford will be the nickel defensive back as he was for most of that game. It’s a good thing that David Jones was available to sign. He was with the team in training camp and it is likely that he will be active tomorrow.
We know the drill on Pierre Garçon (foot). If he is not playing, Dezmon Briscoe will be active. If Garçon can go, and that seems to be the more likely scenario although it’s far from certain, Briscoe will sit.
Brandon Banks (hip) has returned virtually every punt and kickoff for the Redskins since he was brought up from the practice squad in the fourth game of the 2010 season. Who will return kicks if he is out? We’ll have an entire post on that later today.
Today’s schedule
No media availability as the Redskins travel to Tampa.
In case you missed it
Will the Redskins go into victory formation?
Fourth down decisions haunt Redskins.
Days until: Redskins @ Bucs 1; next home game vs. Falcons 8; RG3 vs. Cam at FedEx Field 36; Ravens @ Redskins 71
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