The Redskins started their first of three joint practices with the Houston Texans, this years featured team on HBO’s “Hard Knocks”. Today will be the only day that the teams will participate in an afternoon walkthrough together as tomorrow’s was canceled due to the possibility of precipitation. Stay tuned for additional possible changes to the schedule with rain forecasted for much of the next 24 hours.

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien gave us his impressions on Redskins head coach Jay Gruden. Although O’Brien may not be speaking candidly, the former Penn State head man said “he’s a good guy, a really good football coach” about Gruden. O’Brien also commented that rookie WR Jamison Crowder is quick, can accelerate, and has good instincts after the Duke product made his corner back Kareem Jackson look bad on several occasions. He can see just exactly what we are talking about below.

https://twitter.com/Redskins/status/629282083916091392

Starting quarterback Robert Griffin III, started his press conference by exuberantly stating that “I felt overall it was a great day for us. Great competition.” Griffin was at times harassed by arguably the best defender in the game in J.J. Watt, but you have to face the best in order to improve, which Griffin said he wants to “improve every single day”. Griffin kidded that he hopes he never sees Watt when quarterbacks are no longer protected under practice rules but understands it was “good for the offensive line”. The quarterback also commented that he trusts the coaches will put the best five individuals in front of him to protect him when asked about Morgan Moses at right tackle and Brandon Scherff moved inside to guard. It might just be talk but so far Redskins fans have to at least like what they are hearing when Griffin made it clear that “my job is not to pick the five up front — it’s to pick apart the defense. And I plan on doing that”.

Griffin also made a surprising, but realistic claim that joint practices are more useful than preseason games where you have to “get in and get out” without being able to establish a rhythm.

Gruden’s description of Griffin’s performance against the Texans was “ok” but positively announced that “he’s coming along…seeing things more clearly”. Gruden also discussed the offensive line situation by noting that for Moses “having a year under his belt has helped him” and as a result, Scherff getting kicked inside for Moses to start at tackle is “a definite possibility”. Unlike what some may think about spending the 5th overall pick on just a solid guard, Gruden said it is not too high of a price if he’s “really, really good”. You might remember that the Redskins passed on DT Leonard Williams out of USC who was surprisingly still on the board.

Gruden also addressed the HBO “Hard Knocks” cameras, a possible reason why the Saints backed out of joint practices with the Texans, by saying his players were not distracted because “they have bigger things” to worry about.

Practice Notes and Evaluations:

• For the second straight practice we saw that Bill Callahan’s starting offensive line consisted of (from left to right): Trent Williams, Shaun Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, Brandon Scherff, and Morgan Moses. Most would end up saying Scherff will not have been worth the 5th overall pick if all he is in the NFL is a good right guard, but nothing is etched in stone with this lineups.
• Even though the Redskins tried running to the left side, away from the presence of Watt, the elite defender showed he has the quicks to move down the line and make an impact on the play regardless. Watt also made is presence felt in the passing game by pressuring Griffin while also swatting other pass attempts. Brandon Scherff was the primary blocker against Watt and though beaten a handful of times, the Iowa product also held his own.
• With DeSean Jackson being sidelined with a shoulder injury (see more information below), Jamison Crowder got a lot of reps with the first team offense and made the most of it. Crowder was continuing either beating his defender or drawing an interference penalty. Crowder was the highlight of the day for the Redskins when he broke CB Kareem Jackson’s ankles (see video above).
• In today’s field goal drills, Kai Forbath was three of four with makes from 38, 40, and 45 while missing from 50 and Ty Long was 3/5 with makes from 33, 36, and 43 while missing from both 45 and 50 yards out. Forbath will likely keep his roster spot as a specialist bringing back some consistency in the unit that includes big leg punter Tress Way and long snapper Nick Sundberg.
• In a lighter moment from practice, the Redskins attempted a fake field goal pass from K Kai Forbath to RT Morgan Moses. It is clear that Moses wants to show Watt he can play tight end too. The play was ruled an interception although Moses might have wrestled the ball away before both players hit the ground.

Injury Updates:

• CB David Amerson (shoulder AC joint sprain), S Jeron Johnson (tweaked hamstring), and OLB Junior Galette (pectoral) will all NOT practice today against the Houston Texans. Gruden said Johnson will be out a week with the hamstring injury which will put him further in the hole behind Duke Ihenacho as they fight for the strong safety position.
• RB Matt Jones (knee) and NT Terrance Knighton (flu) have returned to participating in practice.
• OT Willie Smith (Achilles) looks to return to practice after sitting out a few days. The 28 year old will likely see few reps, even with the second team, as he is likely behind the likes of backup tackles Tom Compton and rookie Takoby Cofield in the pecking order.
• As if the Redskins could use any more injuries to corners, DeAngelo Hall was helped off the field as he looked to be dealing with a left leg injury. The hope is nothing serious as Hall was seen later with his helmet back on, possibly because he wanted to get back in. Hall, however, watched the rest of practice from the sidelines standing without pads on. Hall said after practice that he tweaked his knee and groin while his twice torn Achilles’ tendon is fine. The veteran corner said he was feeling tight in his leg even prior to practice but wanted to give it a go regardless because of the already depleted secondary. The optimism wore off when it was reported Hall will miss at least a week with the injury possibly ending his 2015 training camp. Gruden said Hall will be day to day with the injury.

Had a minor setback in camp today. Wasn't anything serious. Achilles is perfect feels good. I had a slight groin strain. I'll be good #HTTR

— DeAngelo Hall (@DeAngeloHall23) August 6, 2015

• DeSean Jackson was looked at by multiple trainers while he laid on his back. Head coach Jay Gruden was standing near by but did not seem too concerned with the matter as he was looking elsewhere. Jackson would later walk off under some support from a trainer. UPDATE: Jackson returned to the sidelines without pads after hurting his shoulder when extending laterally to make the catch in the corner of the end zone and practice field. You can see the full play that caused the injury below. The shoulder was wrapped, but it is hoped that the area is simply bruised or mildly sprained. Similarly to Hall, the injury to Jackson was worse than expected as it is reported that the deep threat will be out a few weeks with a Grade 2 separated shoulder. Gruden confirmed Jackson will be out 1-2 weeks with what he called an AC sprain, but left hope for an earlier return depending on pain tolerance. Although Jackson did admit the injury is currently putting him in pain (no sling), he said there is less damage than the shoulder injury he suffered last year that did NOT keep him out of any regular season games.

Play DeSean Jackson injured his shoulder on. Read more about his & DeAngelo Hall's prognosis: http://redsk…. https://t.co/HV9kTA5IFv

— #SkinsCamp (@Redskins) August 6, 2015

• To make things worse, Gruden said CB Chris Culliver is also dealing with a groin injury and is listed as day to day. Although Amerson, Culliver, and Hall are all dealing with minor injuries, for the next few practices the Redskins may be without their top four corners (Breeland- MCL sprain) leading to others like Justin Rodgers and Kyshoen Jarrett having to step up.
• S Akeem Davis had surgery on his broken thumb today but could still practice tomorrow in a cast. LB Trevardo Williams, who is fighting for his life to get a roster spot after the acquisition of Junior Galette will be out 2 weeks with a hamstring injury.
• In other injury news after the Redskins waived 2015 6th round pick CB Tevin Mitchel because of his torn labrum that will end his rookie season before it even began, the Colts, somewhat coldly, claimed Mitchel meaning the Redskins could not move him to the IR and secure his contract. It was a bad luck move for the Redskins who did not, and should not, have expected another franchise to side swipe an injured player in such a manner.

For more updates about Redskins training camp come back and visit District Sports Page.

Important Dates:

• Training camps is officially ongoing and will last until Sunday, August 16th. See a full schedule of the Redskins training camp practices here. The schedule has been updated to reflect the changes of the canceled afternoon walkthrough tomorrow due to weather forecasts.
• Travel to Cleveland for first preseason matchup against the Browns on Thursday, August 13 (at 8 PM) in 7 days.
• Season and home opener against Miami Dolphins on Sunday, September 13 in 38 days.