The starting right tackle wheeled around the facility, his left leg resting on something called a Roll-A-Bout. The starting right guard showed up later with his left arm in a splint, hoping a late December return was possible.
It should be cause for concern. Maybe later it will be.
For now, at Redskins Park, it’s cause for confidence.
Despite missing two starting offensive linemen, the Redskins have started the season strong; winning the opener after tackle Jon Jansen went down and the second after guard Randy Thomas was hurt.
“If you’re winning games with people missing,” Redskins receiver Santana Moss said, “that means you’ve got good backups.”
And that point provides the hope for Washington. The Redskins (2-0) have shown injuries don’t have to derail their season. At some point, those issues could become more than worrisome. That time is not yet here.
Instead, they’re now answering questions about how different this team is than last year’s group that went 5-11.
“We know how to win games,” Redskins tight end Chris Cooley said. “That was the biggest problem last year. Now we’ve won two close games and a tough division game on the road. That will be huge for us.”
They quietly said this summer that they’d be better than people expected. But after last year’s loud summer — Super Bowl or bust, remember? — they hit the mute button on expectations.
“Sometimes, it helps not to be talked about all the time,” Moss said.
After two games, that’s about to change. Even if a struggling 0-2 Giants team is coming to town this weekend. But after a tough road win at Philadelphia, the Redskins have at least returned to the national radar.
Which comes with some dangers.
The Giants enter 0-2 and in danger of falling apart early in the season. The Redskins could put a division rival into a serious bind. However, coach Joe Gibbs points out one easy-to-motivate fact: New York swept Washington last year.
“What I see there is the same bunch of guys who played against us last year and did a great job,” said Redskins coach Joe Gibbs. “We know how they’ll play … I’m worried about us. When you’re winning a couple games, everyone says a lot of good things about you. … All we have to do is remember back to last year.”
And last year is a year the Redskins don’t want to repeat.
“When you have the season we had last year, the best thing to do is come back this year and start off on a high note,” Moss said. “But knowing that you’re 2-0 just means you have to keep this thing going.”
