1. LT Trent Williams (knee/toe) was limited in practice, but said he was “able to run around a little bit.” He’s not limping as badly as he was Wednesday, but he definitely is still walking with a limp. It sounds as if the pain in the toe is what bothers him; a shot of cortisone could clear that up, if they decide to go that route.
2. Naturally, coach Mike Shanahan was non-committal about Williams’ status. Big shocker, there. But Shanahan left open the possibility that Williams could be used in a lesser role if they don’t think he could play a whole game. But it would seem smarter to sit him if he would only be limited. Why risk further injury just to play him in a limited role? Williams, of course, said he would be able to play if Shanahan asked him to.
3. Williams is listed as questionable, along with six other players: WR Anthony Armstrong (groin), DL Albert Haynesworth (ankle), S Chris Horton (ankle), S LaRon Landry (wrist) and RB Clinton Portis (wrist). DL Anthony Bryant suffered a concussion Wednesday and won’t play. That has to mean Haynesworth would be active; unless the Redskins want to use only one nose. Can’t imagine that’s the case.
4. Left guard Derrick Dockery said he’s not sure if he’ll start Sunday and it wouldn’t exactly be a shocker if he didn’t. Kory Lichtensteiger split time almost in half with Dockery last week and the next step is to bump him from the job. Naturally, Shanahan said what he’s said every other time when asked about a possible switch. Close competition; both guys have to be ready to go. Etc., etc.
5. Shanahan is a big fan of Sam Bradford. He loves the way he throws the ball and my guess is if the Redskins had any shot at trading with St. Louis for that pick, they would have done so. “Everything impressed me with him, to be honest,” Shanahan said. “He was a student of the game. He had a natural throwing motion, quick release, read coverages and stayed in the pocket. Everything that you look for in a quarterback I thought he had. You don’t find that very often. Every once in a while they come around, but I really didn’t think he had any weaknesses.”
6. Here’s one reason why the Redskins are happy to have Kareem Moore back at safety. He has a natural rapport with Landry and that makes a difference. Moore is good at anticipating what Landry is going to do and will compensate in coverage, perhaps shading a little more one way to protect Landry – or to help him make plays. “They have a feel for each other and how they’re gonna move,” Redskins safeties coach Steve Jackson said. “Kareem is more instinctual, where some of the other guys are more by the book, and that [instinct] gives one player more leverage to make a play.”
7. St. Louis’ injury report: TE Bill Bajema (knee), LB Chris Chamberlain (toe), TE Mike Hoomanawanui (ankle) and DT Darrell Scott (ankle) are out. S Chris Dahl (head), DT Clifton Ryan (migraines) and WR Laurent Robinson (foot) are doubtful.
8. Here’s this week’s version of Redskins Mailbag. And a story on Adam Carriker returning home to face the Rams.
9. This note has been updated: Ryan Torain will be promoted from the practice squad (as first reported by 106.7 The Fan). WR Brandon Banks will be cut to make room. Torain’s ability to play special teams has to help considering Armstrong and Horton both are questionable and haven’t done much this week. As a running back, I’m curious to see what Torain can do, but I thought he ran too upright in the preseason and did not have a lot of burst through the hole. I was intrigued by him entering camp and disappointed exiting. Maybe it was just some rust; guess we’ll get a chance to see. As for Banks, he has electric speed and is a fan favorite, but he has a ways to go before the coaches would trust him with returns. It’ll be interesting to see if another team benefits. But I would assume if no one signs him (I’d be surprised if they did), then he’ll be back Monday — whether on the practice squad or on the roster.
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10. Keep this in mind when watching the game: St. Louis likes to pass the ball to its left. That means DeAngelo Hall could be bored and Carlos Rogers could be active. That is, if the Redskins don’t move Hall around and have him cover the top receiver (Mark Clayton).
