Need to Know: Brown running out of time

Here is what you need to know on this Friday, November 16, two days before the Redskins face the Eagles at FedEx Field.

Injury report

The injury report listing the game status for the players will come out today and all eyes will be on Pierre Garçon and Brandon Meriweather. The expectation is that both will be listed as questionable. But it appears that both of them will play.

We went into Garçon’s situation in detail yesterday. Even though he is not 100 percent, t appears that they have determined that additional rest will bring only marginal improvement. They will put him out and see what he can do, probably with the realization that he may play for just a game or two and wind up in injured reserve.

When asked about Meriweather’s situation on Thursday, Jim Haslett was very cautious.

“Hopefully, we can get him back. We’re not really sure yet. He brings leadership. He’s got great ball skills. He’s a guy that loves football. He studies the game. He spends a lot of time… He’s a guy that can make plays. He practiced a little bit yesterday. I’m still not really sure where he stands but hopefully we’ll have him back.”

That doesn’t sound all that encouraging but it appears that the defensive coordinator was being cautious when talking about a player who has been on the verge of playing in the regular season on a couple of occasions before setbacks delayed him.

Brown’s setback

The Redskins third injury comeback tale hit a speed bump yesterday when Jammal Brown did not practice due to soreness in his hip. That can’t be a good sign after they spent two and half months after he had surgery ramping up to this point.

This does not necessarily mean that Brown’s season is over. It could be something that will clear up in a day or two and he will be able to resume practice next week.

But you would have to think that at the very least that this is the last setback he will be able to have and still be able to suit up this year. We are rapidly running out of season and recovery time.

A healthy Jammal Brown would be an upgrade over Tyler Polumbus at right tackle. But if he can’t get onto the field, you would think that the Redskins will look elsewhere to improve at the position over the offseason. Brown’s days as a Redskin could be over.

Releasing Brown prior to June 1 next year would be about a wash in terms of the salary cap; designating him as a post-June 1 release would save about $2.5 million.

Today’s schedule

11:50—Practice (closed to media after first 30 minutes)

After practice (approx. 1:30)— Mike Shanahan news conference and open locker room

In case you missed it

Playoffs?

Cofield thinks turnaround is possible.

Days until: Eagles @ Redskins 2; Thanksgiving @ Cowboys 6; Monday night Giants @ Redskins 17; Ravens @ Redskins 23

Comments

[PremiumSeater]

Rich, I have a few observations/questions as the team prepares for the post bye games. Do you think London Fletcher's hamstring injury and his balance problem affected his play more than we may realize? His play seems to have really dropped off in the last few games. I'm hoping that the bye week will help him to return to form. Secondly, I have decided that the key to winning games is to not expect the defense to rise above their abilities very often. The offense HAS to control the game. Control the clock with the run game, let RG3 be RG3 and trust he has learned how to play without taking unnecessary risks. Score early and often with extended drives when possible and quick strikes when available. Make the opposing defenses worry about EVERYTHING. Don't try to force the drop back passer model on RG3 until he's ready and has enough talent around him to justify that type of offense. Personally, I don't care if he's ever a drop back passer. What matters are wins, not beauty points. Keeping the defense off of the field, fresh and not asking them to win the game is going to be the blueprint for success for this season and the foreseeable future. I'm done worrying about when or if the defense can improve. It's possible the debut of Brandon Meriweather and a more healthy London Fletcher will make a difference. I'm just not counting on it. The offense has to keep the defense from being in a win-the-game-at-the-end situation if at all possible. If they can do the bend but don't break thing, that's all anyone should hope for. It's up to the offense, period.