Richmond, Va. - The Redskins returned to the practice field, in pads, Thursday - one week out from the team's preseason opener at Atlanta.
Day eight of training camp featured a 10:35am walkthrough followed by a 3:00pm practice. Wednesday, Washington conducted only a special teams practice in the afternoon following its morning walkthrough. Head coach Jay Gruden says it's a conscious decision to monitor the physical toll training camp takes on the body of his players.
Washington Redskins training camp
“I think there was a lot more pounding in the old days, a lot more reps in the old days," Gruden explained. "We feel like we’re handling some of that workload through the walkthroughs. And I know it’s not as physical and it’s not as ‘true football,’ but we are going through our assignments and we’re getting a lot of mental reps there. In this day and age with the size and the speed of the people playing this game, health is very important. The teams that stay healthy for 16 weeks are usually the teams that have a lot of success, and that’s our goal."
Rookie linebacker/safety Su'a Cravens, who did not practice the last two days due to a sprained tendon in his leg, was back on the practice field Thursday afternoon. However, first round draft pick Josh Doctson was not. Doctson wore a walking boot for the second straight day. Wednesday, Gruden said the boot was not an indication that Doctson's Achilles injury had worsened. In fact, the head coach implied Doctson would work hard Thursday, per the pattern.
"[Josh] had a good day yesterday," Gruden said Wednesday. "Really, they’re trying to work him hard one day and then let him rest the next day and keeping him in the boot is the best option we feel like right now."
Redskins running back Matt Jones misses practice Thursday
Starting running back Matt Jones was also on the sidelines, not wearing pads, during Thursday's afternoon practice. Jones told reporters afterwards, it was just a day off from Coach Gruden. "My legs are getting a little heavy," Jones said. He admits his knee was a bit sore, but says not sore enough to keep him from working out. "For sure," Jones said, when asked if he'd practice Friday and play Thursday in Atlanta.
Wednesday night, the Redskins rookies performed "skits" for their teammates. According to social media, rookie guard Nila Kasitati stole the show with his John Legend rendition.
Complete coverage: 2016 Redskins Training Camp
Redskins rookie Nila Kasitati signs autographs
Be sure to stick with News 3, both on-air and online, as Hampton Roads’ Home of the Redskins covers training camp start to finish LIVE from Richmond.
