Injury could give Redskins WR Grant chance to start

Aug 18, 2017 - 4:00 AM ASHBURN, Va. -- With an injury to wide receiver Josh Doctson (hamstring), it's possible that unheralded Ryan Grant could start in Washington's season opener on Sept. 10 against Philadelphia.

Grant was a fifth-round pick in 2014 from Tulane and has appeared in all 48 games during his three NFL seasons. He has never been a big offensive weapon, but Grant was also an afterthought in the passing game while playing behind tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis and receivers Jamison Crowder, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson.

With Garcon and Jackson gone in free agency and Doctson hurt again for now, Grant has a chance. Terrelle Pryor and Jamison Crowder (slot) would be the other starters at wide receiver.

Grant caught 24 passes in 2015, but that total dropped to nine last season. His spot on the roster has never been in danger, however, because the coaching staff loves his reliability. Grant is a standout on special teams and an excellent blocker for his position.

"He's Mr. Consistent. Everything we ask him to do he does, and he does it right," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. "No matter where he lines up, no matter what we ask him to do -- Ryan can come in the core and block the safety, he can run whatever route from whatever position and he runs at the right depth, perfect angles coming out of them. He's just 'Steady Eddie,' and that's why I like him. I like consistent, smart players and that's what Ryan is."

Gruden wants to see more from his first-team offense during Saturday's game against the Green Bay Packers at FedEx Field. The Redskins didn't manage a first down with the starters in for two series in a 23-3 loss to Baltimore last week.

Expect quarterback Kirk Cousins to play much longer than normal for a second preseason game -- maybe even into the second quarter against the Packers, according to Gruden.

--The competition for starting inside linebacker in Washington's base 3-4 defense is heating up. Last week Will Compton played the Mike linebacker spot, with Mason Foster at Mo linebacker. That's how the Redskins have gone for most of the last two seasons.

But on Saturday against Green Bay, Foster will shift to the Mike position with free-agent signing Zach Brown, a Pro Bowler last season with the Buffalo Bills, starting next to him.

The Redskins signed Brown to add desperately needed speed to their linebacking corps, but he has never been the primary signal caller for a defense in previous stops.

Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky wants to see how Foster handles that role and what impact Brown makes and that competition will continue throughout the preseason.

NOTES: WR Josh Doctson (hamstring) will not play in Saturday's preseason game against Green Bay. He has been out since Aug. 6 and missed the preseason opener vs. Baltimore, but did participate in individual drills at practice on Thursday. ... OLB Ryan Anderson (stinger) will be a game-time decision for Saturday's preseason game against Green Bay. He sustained the injury in Wednesday's practice. ... WR Maurice Harris (knee tendonitis) will not play in Saturday's preseason game against Green Bay, but has begun participating in individual drills at practice. He has been out since early in training camp. ... S Su'a Cravens had knee surgery this week to repair torn meniscus. The starter at strong safety, he is expected to return in time for the Sept. 10 season opener against Philadelphia. ... S Deshazor Everett will start at strong safety on Saturday against Green Bay. Everett has made the 53-man roster each of the last two seasons thanks to strong special teams play, but has taken over a first-team spot for injured teammate Su'a Cravens (knee surgery).